Chandigarh, March 20 — Activists from various Sikh organisations marched towards the Himachal Pradesh border in Hoshiarpur on Wednesday, blocking vehicles from the neighbouring state.
The protest was in response to the removal of flags bearing Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s photos from the vehicles of pilgrims in Manali.
The march began from Gurdwara Singh Sabha on Railway Road, with the protesters heading towards Chintpurni Road. However, police halted their cavalcade near Adamwal on the outskirts of the city.
The activists staged a demonstration there, accusing the Himachal Pradesh government of disrespecting Sikh symbols.
Heated arguments erupted between the protesters and police when officers ordered them to disperse.
Members of SAD (Amritsar), Awaz-e-Quom, Sikh Naujwan Front, Guru Ravidas Force, Young Khalsa Group, Nihal Singh Dal (Panj Aab), and other outfits participated.
They alleged that Sikhs were being frequently targeted in Himachal Pradesh and claimed both the Congress and BJP were tarnishing the community’s image.
“Displaying flags of our leaders is not a crime. If such incidents continue, the situation will worsen,” a protester warned. The activists later handed over a memorandum to the authorities before dispersing.
Meanwhile, Dal Khalsa distanced itself from the vandalism of a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus in Kharar, Mohali, on Tuesday. The group clarified that while its activists had forcibly pasted Bhindranwale’s posters on vehicles with HP number plates a day earlier, they were not involved in the bus incident.
Read More: Biker With Bhindranwale Flag Reprimanded in Manali
