BSP begins indefinite protest at Phillaur village
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) activists have started an indefinite dharna near the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Nangal village near Phillaur after the vandalising incident on Monday morning. Punjab BSP president Avtar Singh Karimpuri announced that the BSP would continue a permanent protest in the village until the perpetrators are apprehended. “If the BJP leaders claim to be true followers of Dr Ambedkar, they should urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure implementation of the Constitution in its true spirit across the country,”
Karimpuri stated.
Meanwhile, the police have launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify the culprits. The incident has triggered widespread anger among the Dalit community and Ambedkarite organisations, with several activists demanding justice.
Though DSP, Phillaur, Sarwan Singh Bal has assured to nab the culprits soon and an FIR has been registered against SFJ chief Gurwant Singh Pannu under section 295A of IPC, this act of vandalism comes amid rising concerns over repeated attempts to target symbols of Dalit pride in Punjab. The BSP has accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to curb such incidents, calling for stronger measures to protect the legacy of
Dr Ambedkar.
Meanwhile, the National Scheduled Castes Alliance has condemned the incident. Alliance president Paramjit Singh Kainth said that the Punjab government seems to be failing to maintain peace and order. After the Amritsar incident, the government needed to be alert to prevent such incidents. He said that due to the government’s indecisive attitude, anti-social elements have been emboldened.
Kainth accused the AAP government in Punjab of failing in its duty and said that the recent incidents in Amritsar and Phillaur have created anger, resentment and discontent in the minds of people who believe in Ambedkar. These cases should be investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) so that they do not recur, he said.
