Farm activists ‘locked’ inside Chandigarh gurdwara, not allowed to protest

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8

A group of protesters alleged that they were locked up inside a gurdwara in Sector 38 by the Chandigarh Police here today and not allowed to protest.

Even as we were locked inside, they asked us to hide our flags, a symbol of protest. This is pathetic. Why are we being stripped of our right to dissent? Is this a democracy? I don’t think so. — Harpreet Kaur, One of the protesters

The activists protesting against the farm laws had arrived at Sector 38 to agitate against the BJP leaders, MP Kirron Kher and Mayor Ravi Kant Sharma, who were invited to inaugurate Rani Laxmi Bai Mahila Bhawan.

Harpreet Kaur, one of the protesters and resident of Sector 37, said: “About six police persons locked us inside Sector 38 gurdwara, as we had arrived to stage a peaceful protest against the farm laws.”

“Even as we were locked inside, they asked us to hide our flags, a symbol of protest. This is pathetic. Why are we being stripped of our right to dissent? Is this a democracy? I don’t think so. We were locked here at 4 pm and they allowed us to leave around 6:45 pm,” claimed Harpreet.

Harvinder Singh, a resident of Daddu Majra, alleged that the police personnel removed three anti-farm law flags from his car and talked to him in objectionable language.

“I was going for some personal work and had just reached Sector 37-38 roundabout when the police stopped my car and removed all three flags. These three flags were a symbol of protest against the three farm laws,” said Harvinder.

“I have videos and audio recordings of constables who used cuss words while talking to me. I wasn’t even going for the protest, but then the flags are my way of showing dissent. How can they stop me and why? I’m not harming anyone. It’s just a show of my beliefs,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police were not available for a comment despite repeated attempts.