Dalits gherao minister’s house

Our Correspondent

Phagwara, August 28

Tension prevailed in the town today due to a protest by the Dalits against the demolition of Guru Ravidas Temple in Tuglqabad, Delhi, recently.

The protesters clashed with the police when the latter stopped them from heading towards the local residence of Union Minister of State Som Parkash. Several protesters tried to jump over the barricades put up by the police near the minister’s house. A few of them sustained minor bruises. The protest got political backing when former minister and senior Congress leader Joginder Singh Maan joined them.

The police had to face a tough time to control the situation as hundreds of activists belonging to the Bahujan Front assembled at Rest House and then took out a protest march.

A heavy police force, under the supervision of SP (Investigation) Manpreet Singh Dhillon, was deployed at various places.

The Dalits demanded resignation from Som Parkash and raised slogans against the Union Government. They said either the minister declared the date for reconstruction of the temple in Delhi or resign from the post.

They condemned the police action on Dalits in Delhi on August 21. The protesters submitted a memorandum to ADC Babita Kaler before lifting the dharna. They announced to gherao the residence of Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal at Badal village on August 31.

SAD sets up panel for talks with Centre

• Chandigarh: The SAD on Wednesday formed a seven-member committee to hold discussions with the Centre to facilitate restoration of Guru Ravidas temple at Tughlaqabad.
• A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the SAD SC wing presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The committee will hold talks with representatives deputed by Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue.
• The development came after Sukhbir and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal met Shah and urged him to consider the demand of the Ravidasia community to reconstruct the temple at its original location in Tughlaqabad. tns