Dalit activists block Ludhiana road over sacrilege in Amritsar

Hundreds of activists of various local level Dalit organisations such as the Ambedkar Sena Punjab, Ambedkar Sena Moolniwasi and Guru Ravidas Tiger Force assembled at Dr BR Ambedkar Park, Hargobind Nagar, Phagwara, against the incident of sacrilege of statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Amritsar on January 26.

Leaders of the Dalit organisations raised slogans against the Punjab Police and the AAP-led Punjab Government. The agitating youths later blocked Hargobind Nagar Chowk and halted the traffic plying from Phagwara to Ludhiana.

SP, Phagwara, Rupinder Kaur Bhatti and SHO, City, Amandeep Nahar rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protesters.

The activists of the organisations submitted a memorandum of demands to the SP. They demanded that strict actions should be taken against the culprits who did the act in Amritsar and also demanded the protection of statues of Ambedkar in the whole nation.

Bhatti assured the protesters that strict action would be taken and their demands would be raised with the higher authorities. Satisfied with the assurance of the SP, the protesters dispersed peacefully and dharna ended.

Prominent leaders present in the protest were Dharamveer Bodh (District president, Ambedkar Sena Moolniwasi), Surinder Dhandha (Ambedkar Sena Punjab), Yash Barna (Chairman, Guru Ravidas Tiger Force, Punjab) among others.