Ambedkar statue desecration sparks bandh in Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar

Markets and shops remained closed in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar cities on Thursday following a bandh call by Valmiki and Dalit organisations to protest the alleged desecration of Dr B R Ambedkar’s statue at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk in Ludhiana.

The bandh was observed from 9 am to 5 pm, with shops and business establishments remaining shut in both cities. Essential and emergency services, including hospitals and chemist shops, continued to function.

A seven-hour bandh was observed in Ludhiana on Wednesday following the alleged incident.

In Hoshiarpur, workers of Valmiki and Dalit organisations gathered at the Clock Tower and took out a protest march through the city’s bazaars. They raised slogans against the alleged desecration and demanded the immediate identification and arrest of those responsible.

The protest was led by leaders including Tarsem Babbu of Valmik Sabha, Hoshiarpur, and Binder Saroia of Sri Guru Ravidas Tiger Force. Dalit leaders Vikas Hans, Kamal Bhatti and Rishu Adia also participated.

Some activists moved around the city on scooters and motorcycles to ensure that the bandh was observed.

Police personnel were deployed at several locations in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar as a precaution. Officials said the bandh remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported.

Members of the Valmiki community from Garhdiwala also staged a dharna at the local bus stand, disrupting traffic on the Dasuya-Hoshiarpur road. Workers of the Bhagwan Valmik Dharam Rakhya Samiti separately blocked traffic at T-Point Hariana by parking motorcycles on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road.

The protests followed Tuesday evening’s incident in which unidentified persons allegedly desecrated a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk in Ludhiana.

Valmiki leaders condemned the incident and demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible. They said the alleged insult to Ambedkar had caused widespread resentment in the community.

The protesters said those responsible should be identified and arrested at the earliest.