Days after ending its 24 years long association with BJP in protest against the Central Government’s three new farm laws, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday came out with blazing guns against its old ally by carrying out massive protest ‘Kisan March’ from state’s three takhts (Sikhs temporal seats).
The three protest marches started from Akal Takhat in Amritsar led by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, second march started from Takhat Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda led by former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and the third march started from Takhat Kesgarh Sahib at Sri Anandpur Sahib led by former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and former Minister Daljit Cheema.
In a clear-cut message to the BJP-led Central Government, the Akali leaders and workers were seen carrying placards, banners condemning the Centre’s decision, dubbing Modi and the BJP as “kisan virodhi” (anti-farmers).
The three marches were scheduled to culminate at Chandigarh, following which the party leaders had to submit a memorandum to the Governor VP Singh Badnore. The Chandigarh Police deployed heavy forces, including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and barricading all Chandigarh borders to stop the Akali workers from entering the city.Harsimrat’s cavalcade, late in the evening, was first to reach the Chandigarh border, which was stopped at Zirakpur. As the Akali leaders decided to stage a “peaceful” sit-in, the police tried to forcefully remove them, and the situation took an ugly turn.
After the police detained Harsimrat, Youth Akali Dal president Bunty Romana, and other senior leaders, the party workers tried to break the barricade, following which the police resorted to lathicharge.
Sukhbir’s cavalcade was at Chandigarh border trying to enter from New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) side.
Earlier, Harsimrat started her protest march after paying respect at Takhat Damdama Sahib, riding in an open canter and while accepting pleasantries of party workers. “SAD is for the farmers and will remain with them.