In Talwandi Sabo, Naam Charcha sparks protest; 22 Premis booked

Gagandeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 12

Tension prevailed in Talwandi Sabo today when Major Singh’s family, followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda, started Naam Charcha to mark the birthday of his child.

As the word spread, senior police officials deployed heavy force there. They got the Naam Charcha stopped when Sikh youths started converging there in large numbers and took all members present in the house in police custody.

When the Sikh youths reached the police station and demanded a case against them under Section 295-A (intend to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion) of the IPC, the police booked 22 dera followers under Section 107/151 (disturbing law and order) of the CrPC. They were produced in a local court, following which they were released on bail. The next hearing in the case is on January 16.

Meanwhile, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh asked the police and civil administration to make sure that no such incident takes place in the area in future. “Parallel” Jathedar Baljeet Singh Daduwal said the Sikh Sangat would not tolerate such activities in the area.