Dalit community block Jalandhar-Ludhiana highway to protest against Ambedkar statue vandalism

The Dalit community on Tuesday blocked the Jalandhar bypass in Ludhiana to protest against the vandalism of the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Amritsar.

Protesters from the community gathered in large numbers on the Jalandhar-Ludhiana national highway.

The development came after a call for bandh issued by Dalit leaders yesterday.

The impact of the bandh was also seen in several markets in Ludhiana. Prominent markets in old city areas like Chaura Bazaar, Bhadaur House, Railway road, Mata Rani Chowk, and Clock Tower were closed.

A large number of commuters were stranded on the national highway due to the protest. A long queue of vehicles was observed on the highway.

Meanwhile, in Jalandhar, almost all markets, private offices and educational institutions remained shut. Major intersections of the city, including Rama Mandi, Nakodar Chowk and Pathankot Chowk, were blocked by protestors led by Ravidassia and Valmik leaders.

The District Bar Association had also called for ‘no work day’ today in support of the bandh.

However, government schools and offices remained open.

The support for bandh had been announced by Congress MLA from Adampur Sukhwinder Kotli, who went to Amritsar today to visit the site where vandalism of the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar had taken place. BJP leaders, including ex-MP Sushil Rinku and ex-MLA KD Bhandari, also held a silent protest at Ambedkar Chowk to express solidarity on the issue.