2,000 leave for Bargari to join protesters

Our Correspondent

Sahnewal, August 20

A jatha of around 2,000 supporters, with a cavalcade of 200 vehicles, left for Bargari village from Sahnewal, under the leadership of Hazoor Sahib Kar Seva Chief Baba Narinder Singh, to join the protest, which entered its 81st day on Monday.

Bargari was the epicentre of sacrilege incidents that had rocked the state in 2015. The incident, which took place on June1, 2015, had hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community, which has been demanding befitting punishment for the violators since then.

The protesters are also demanding action against the killer of Gurdev Singh, a dera follower, at his grocery shop in Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village of Faridkot.

“It is beyond words to explain how much the Sikh community has been hurt by the murder of Gurdev Singh and the torn pages of our sacred granth,” shared Baba Narinder Singh while leaving from Sahnewal. “We have been supporting the protesters for the past 80 days and shall continue to do the same till we get justice. The victims have been running from pillar to post for justice. The Sikh ‘sangat’ should stage a dharna and demand justice, ” he said.

“The incident cannot be trivalised by the government in such a ruthless manner. The announcements made by the government do not hold any meaning till they are followed and implemented. The government is treating our silent protest in a casual manner. Our silent protest may turn into a major protest march. Our dharna should continue till the government does not wake up. Guru Ganth Sahib is our God and if anyone tries to meddle with it, we will not sit back as mute spectators. The government has to accept our demands and take immediate action in the case. Our struggle will intensify in the coming days,” he added.

The protesters want Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to declare the names of those who had conspired in the incidents of sacrilege. They also want action against police officers found guilty of action on protesters at Behbal Kalan in October, 2015. Alongside, they wish to secure the release of Sikh political detainees who have served their jail terms.