Dharam Yudh Morcha: SGPC Closes Gates of Amb Sahib as Punjab Police Arrests over 250 Sikhs

Protest planned to seek release of Sikh political prisoners who have completed their terms
Panthik leaders including wife of S. Jaswant Singh Khalra among those arrested by the police
Anyone who looked like a practicing Sikh was targeted by the police
Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s Hunger Strike Concludes 125 Days

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—The Sikh protesters who had planned to demonstrate outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Chanidgarh were arrested today.  Over 250 Sikhs, including a number of women and children were among those arrested by the Punjab Police outside Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali).  Before arresting the Sikhs, Punjab police thrashed many protesters and tried to remove their dastars.  Sikh24 has received reports from Gurdwara Amb Sahib, according to which, sangat which was not part of the protest was also manhandled.  Anyone who looked like a practicing Sikh was targeted by the police.

Although protesters were later released, there is great uproar within the Sikh community due to continued brutalities of the Punjab Government.

Barricades Setup Outside the Gurdwara as SGPC Closes Main Gates

Sikh Sangat started arriving at Gurdwara Amb Sahib early in the morning, however the main gate had already been closed and no one was allowed to enter the Gurdwara.  A large number of SGPC task force employees, including police staff from Mohali, Patiala and Roopnagar was present outside since morning.

Sikh Sangat was forced to sit outside the Gurdwara Sahib, where they continued naam simran and Gurbani jaap.  Over 400 Sikhs had arrived by noon to take part in the protest that was planned for Chandigarh later in the day.  Sikhs performed ardas to continue towards Chandigarh where they were to protest outside the residence of Chief Minister Parkash Badal.  Protesters were able to get past barricades set by the police, however, that led to a minor scuffle, after which over 250 Sikhs were arrested. 

Punjab Police Threatens and Arrests Sikhs

After the arrest, the protesters were taken to Airport Ring Road and forced to stand in the heat, under the sun as the police noted down their names and addresses.  Superintendent of Police, Harpal ‘Singh’ Sandhu threatened a number of Sikh youth who refused to provide their details. 

These protesters were taken to Sadar Police Station.  Many were also taken to Mubarakpur Rest House.  They were all later released during the evening.

Bibi Sarvarinder Kaur (Bapu Surat Singh’s daughter), Bibi Pritam Kaur, Bibi Paramjeet Kaur Khalsa, Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala (Damdami Taksal), Kirpal Singh Randhawa (PHRO), Bhai RP Singh (Akhand Kirtani Jatha), Bhai Mohkam Singh, Surinder Singh Akalgarh (SAD Amritsar), Jasbir Singh Khandur, Manjinder Singh Jandi, Gurnam Singh Sidhu, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh and Bhai Balbir Singh Mucchal (Satkar Committee), Satnam Singh Pauta Sahib and others.

RP Singh of Akhand Kirtani Jatha told Sikh24 that the role of the SGPC today is worse than that of the Mahants who had control over the Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.  He condemned the role of the task force and the Punjab Police.  He compared the incident from the morning with the Nankana Sahib saka.  He asked that the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar needs to clarify why Sikhs are being refused entry into Gurdwara Sahibs.

Questions are being raised upon the role of various Sikh leaders, including that of S. Wassan Singh Zaffarwal who went missing during the period of arrests.