The activists of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) raised pro-Khalistan slogans during an address by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday, even as the Chief Minister cautioned people against attempts to foment sectarian divide and fanaticism.
Two protesters, identified as Sarup Singh Sandha and Rajinder Singh Channa, began raising pro-Khalistan and anti-Badal slogans during Badal’s speech but were swiftly arrested and whisked away.
The Chief Minister, however, chose to down play the incident, saying only that it was better to ignore “such elements”.
Badal, addressing the function, said, “No society can survive for long if it forgets its culture and rich traditional values.”
“To sustain sectarian values or cultivate fanaticism is dangerous not only for others but also for those who promote its cause,” Badal said.