Sikh groups get poor response to bandh call on pardon row : The Tribune India

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Sikh groups get poor response to bandh call on pardon row

AMRITSAR: The bandh call given by various Sikh organisations to lodge their protest against the clergy’s decision to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh over his blasphemous bid to impersonate Guru Gobind Singh in 2007 evoked a poor response today.

Sikh groups get poor response to bandh call on pardon row

Representatives of Sikh bodies being detained from outside Gurdwara Central Town in Jalandhar on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh



Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 30

The bandh call given by various Sikh organisations to lodge their protest against the clergy’s decision to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh over his blasphemous bid to impersonate Guru Gobind Singh in 2007 evoked a poor response today.

Educational institutions and commercial establishments remained open as usual.

The police launched a crackdown against leaders of Sikh outfits, which had given the bandh call, by detaining SAD (Amritsar) leaders like Jarnail Singh Sakheera and Harbir Singh Sandhu in the morning. They were released at 2 pm.

A heavy security force was deployed in the city, particularly at Hall Gate and near the Golden Temple.

Although the bandh call did not have much impact in the city, it affected the transport services. The bus stand wore a deserted look till afternoon. Apprehending trouble, commuters avoided travelling.

Some of the Sikh organisations were against the bandh call as they felt that the matter was between Sikhs and the Akal Takht. The division among Sikh outfits over the bandh call had come to the fore at a recent meeting organised here to chalk out strategy over the pardon row.

In Tarn Taran too, the bandh call evoked little response, though activists of various Sikh organisations succeeded in registering their protest over the issue. Educational institutions, health services, and public transport functioned as usual.

As many as 25 workers, led by United Akali Dal leader Satnam Singh Manawa, were detained by the police before they could take out a protest march. They were released in the afternoon.

A group of radical Sikh workers, led by Kulbir Singh Mastgarh, burnt an effigy of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Bhurakona village, 35 km from here.

Jalandhar remains peaceful

Markets, commercial complexes and educational institutes remained open in the city. Nearly 40 activists were detained in the morning but were later released. Even as Sikh representatives of markets and traders’ associations had yesterday said they would support the bandh, all bazaars remained opened.

Mann put under house arrest

Fatehgarh Sahib: The bandh call received partial response in Fatehgarh Sahib. Shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in some parts of the district only. Elaborate security arrangements were in place. Simranjit Singh Mann, president of the SAD (Amritsar), and other senior party leaders were placed under house arrest. Although a heavy police force was deployed at Mann’s residence-cum party headquarters Kila Harman Das, sources claimed that the SAD (A) chief was not present at his house.

Meanwhile, Jaskaran Singh, president of the farmers’ wing of the SAD (A), termed the house arrest of the party leaders as undemocratic.

Activists detained, released

Patiala: Most of the shops and commercial establishments remained opened in the district. Activists of some Sikhs organisations were, however, detained for allegedly forcing shopkeepers to down shutters. They were released in the afternoon. Some activists, who were planning to stage dharnas to make the bandh a success, were rounded up late last night. They remained under house arrest on Wednesday. Patiala SSP Gurmeet Chauhan said no untoward incident was reported.

Normalcy in Phagwara

Phagwara: There was no impact of the bandh call in Phagwara, Goraya, Banga, Noormahal, Phillaur and Nakodar towns. Markets and educational institutes remained open. IG (zonal) Ishwar Chander Sharma said elaborate security arrangements were in place in the towns. SSP, Kapurthala, Rajinder Singh camped in Phagwara till afternoon. Although 13 protesters were rounded up in Kapurthala as a preventive measure, they were released in the evening. Delhi–Lahore and Lahore—Delhi buses were diverted via the Tarn Taran—Moga route. Meanwhile, a joint meeting of various Sikh outfits, including Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Akal Students Federation, Ekam International, Sikh Welfare Council and Gurmiti Gyan Charitable Mission, held on Wednesday decided to boycott all five Jathedars against their decision to pardon the Dera Sacha Sauda head.

SAD (A) activists arrested

Hoshiarpur: The police on Wednesday arrested protesting SAD (A) leaders as soon as they hit the streets in support of the bandh call. They were taken to a remote place under heavy security cover. However, the protesters kept raising pro-Khalistan slogans.

Youth wing president Gurnam Singh Singriwala alleged that the government was misusing power and interfering in religious issues, which would not be tolerated.

The protesters will still in police custody when the report was last filed.

Lukewarm response

Sangrur: The bandh call evoked poor response in the city. All markets and other commercial establishments remained opened. However, the police detained 50 activists of various Sikh organisations from outside Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha as a preventive measure. DSP, Sangrur, Gurpreet Singh Dhindsa said the activists were released in the evening.

No reports of disruption

Ludhiana: There were no reports of disruption from any part of the city.However, some students of Punjab Agricultural University did not attend their first three lectures as a mark of protest.

Rally bid foiled

Ropar: The police foiled an attempt of radical Sikh groups to take out a protest march in Anandpur Sahib. They also put SGPC member Surinder Singh and former MLA Ajit Singh under house arrest. Moreover, the bandh call of the radical outfits received a poor response. Meanwhile, SGPC member Gurinder Singh Gogi resigned in protest over the high priests’ decision to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief.

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