A massive show of force by the Sikh community at a Haryana protest march
Amritsar Sahib (KP) – Sikh Sangat in various places across Punjab held a complete bandh (economic shutdown) of over 12 train services, including the Shatabdhi, Government bus services and shops. The bandh was called after the assassination of Bhai Harmandar Singh Ji, which took place during the recent clash with Dera Sacha Sauda activists in Dabwali. Although the Dera proclaims to be a peace-loving organization, violent acts by Dera followers have taken the lives of several Sikhs and left many injured as a result of brutal acts.
Leaders of different Sikh organizations came together to protest against Dera Sacha Sauda. Protests which took place through different major cities and villages of Punjab were much similar in magnitude to the initial protests which shook the states of Punjab and Haryana. The impact of the bandh was visible on businesses and educational institutes located in Amritsar Sahib as they were also forced to remain closed by Sikh protestors. Thousands of passengers at the Amritsar Sahib Railway station became targets of the bandh as a total of nine trains were cancelled.
Leaders of various organizations protesting against the cultist criminals
Talwandi Sabo, where the struggle against Dera Sacha Sauda initiated, saw major protests led by Singh Sahib Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh. An effigy of Gurmeet Ram Rahim was burnt in objection to the activities of Dera Sacha Sauda which has recently claimed the lives of two Sikhs.
At Anandpur Sahib, another major center of Sikh affairs, volunteers of different Sikh organizations blocked traffic at major highways. The Sikh Student Federation and Shiromani Akali Dal 1920 volunteers blocked the sales tax barrier throughout the day which caused major disruptions to local Police activities.
Different cities, including Chandigarh, Mohali, Moga, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur and others, also remained completely closed as shopkeepers and businesses joined the Sikh volunteers in the protests against Dera Sacha Sauda. Railway stations, bus stands banks, shops, etc. remained empty throughout the protests. Governmental offices remained open despite large scale protest, but attendance of employees was largely minimal.
Although the protests disrupted several cities, no strong actions were taken by the Punjab Police as the Sikh protests remained peaceful throughout. The only police actions taken were when Sikh protesters tried to close the Dayanand Public School in Nabha. During other times, the police was mostly helpless in front of thousands of Sikhs who had come out to protests Dera Sacha Sauda and the special treatment bestowed upon him by the Government.
Several Sikh organizations, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Shiromani Akali Dal 1920, Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), Damdami Taksal, Sant Samaj, Sikh Student Federations and Dal Khalsa commanded the protests. Earlier, Sikh leaders resolved to get Gurmeet Ram Rahim of the Sirsa based cult arrested and seek registration and action of legal cases.
Sant Samaj, which is playing a leading role in encouraging protests against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, announced that the next course of action will be decided at Gurdwara Gian Parkash in Jawaddi Kalan on July 30. Leaders of all Sikh organizations have been called to share their views regarding the current situation and to work together to seek the arrest of Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
