Phagwara: Dalit bodies stage symbolic protest, seek arrest of sacrilege accused

In response to the second incident of desecration of Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue in the village of Nangal, Phillaur, members of local Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha and Ambedkarite as well as Guru Ravidass followers staged a symbolic protest today, demanding swift government action.

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Leading the demonstration, Dalit rights activist and state leader Amritpal Bhonsle criticised the Punjab government’s failure to prevent such repeated acts of disrespect. Addressing the gathering, Bhonsle alleged that the state’s intelligence agencies have been ineffective in curbing such incidents, which continue to provoke outrage within the Dalit community.

“If the government fails to treat these incidents with the seriousness they deserve, we will be left with no choice but to launch a statewide agitation,” Bhonsle warned. He further stated that elements like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun were trying to exploit such tensions but asserted that such divisive agendas would not be allowed to succeed.

“The Dalit community understands these manipulative intentions. We will respond not with violence but by spreading the ideology of Dr BR Ambedkar to every household. That is our answer to hatred,” Bhonsle added.

He also issued a stern warning to the authorities, stating that if the culprits are not apprehended soon, the protestors would be compelled to adopt a more aggressive stance. “The government should not test our patience,” he cautioned.