SGPC keeps offices shut, few turn up at Golden Temple

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 8

Farmers under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), Punjab, observed a ‘chakka jam’ on the Amritsar-Jalandhar GT road for four hours today.

Showing solidarity with farmers, Sikh bodies like the SGPC and Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) kept their offices and institutions closed for the day. The footfall of devotees at the Golden Temple remained low. An SGPC official said they stood by farmers against the “rigid attitude” of Centre. “On our part, we have been providing langar, medical aid and other services for the convenience of protesting farmers in Delhi,” he said. CKD president Nirmal Singh said more than 50 educational institutions run by the diwan, including schools and colleges, were closed.

Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa joined the farmers’ protest at Bhandari Bridge while appealing PM Narendra Modi to concede to the rightful demand of farmers and withdraw the three contentious farm laws.