Dhadis join chorus against statues at Amritsar Heritage Street

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 21

After raagis of the Golden Temple, dhadis have joined the campaign against bhangra and giddha statues at Heritage Street leading to the shrine.

They conducted a protest march here on Friday and later submitted a memorandum to the district administration, demanding release of Sikh youths who allegedly vandalised the statues. Eight men have been booked in the case.

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Khalsa have shown solidarity with the arrested youths.

Members of the Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Shriomani Dhadi Sabha and International Sri Guru Gobind Singh Kavishri Sabha jointly held protest march on Heritage Street. Holding banners against the statues, they demanded the unconditional release of the Sikh youths.

Dhadi sabha president Puran Singh said the controversial statues should be replaced with that of Bhai Taru Singh, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, Hari Singh Nalwa, Bhai Sukha and Bhai Mehtab, who represent Sikh history.

Kavishri Sabha representative Sulakhan Singh Riar said it was the responsibility of the district administration to remove the statues, which gave a wrong impression to tourists about the Sikh culture.

Deputy Commissioner Shiv Dular Singh said he would forward the memorandum to the state government.