In a major development, several outfits have called for a Bandh (shutdown) of Jalandhar and Ludhiana on January 28, 2025, i.e. tomorrow. Announcing Constitution Bachao Morcha on January 28, outfit leader Vijay Danav announced the Ludhiana bandh tomorrow. Not only this, but the President of Satguru Updesh Tiger Force organization Arun Sandal, Anil Hans, and Soma Gill have called for Jalandhar Bandh tomorrow. Jalandhar Bandh and Ludhiana Bandh have been called in protest against the vandalism of Dr. BR Ambedkar's statue in Amritsar on January 26 evening.
Satguru Updesh Tiger Force organization stated that Jalandhar will be completely closed from 9 am to 5 pm tomorrow. The outfit further stated that the main Dr. Ambedkar Chowk in Jalandhar is still closed, and there also some people who tried to enter on 25 January. The outfit outlined that there is anger among the organizations and the community about the sacrilege done with the statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on Republic Day yesterday in Amritsar.
He has appealed to the shopkeepers for cooperation. He said that medical facilities will remain available. Jalandhar is completely closed tomorrow. Talks were held with the administration but the administration did not give any assurance due to which the organizations have decided to call for a bandh.
President Sandal said that if the administration takes no action then in a few days entire Punjab will be closed. He said that some mischievous elements have tried to spoil the atmosphere of brotherhood. Baba Saheb had not only made sacrifices for us but for the whole of India. He has worked for the rights of the people and has ensured equal rights for all. If he is disrespected, then it means disrespect for the whole of India.
He said that a fury march was taken out on 25 January. Standing openly at Dr. Ambedkar Chowk, wrong comments were made about him, thorns were thrown at the statue of the Constitution. A direct charge of treason can be made against them. This is the reason why they have called for Jalandhar Bandh. They have given a memorandum to the administration.
Punjab CM's reaction to Ambedkar Statue's vandalism
Responding to the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on his X handle wrote, " (Translated version) The incident of breaking the statue of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar ji on the heritage street of Shri Amritsar Sahib is highly condemnable and no one will be forgiven for this incident. Whoever is responsible for the incident, he/she will be severely punished. No one will be allowed to break the brotherhood and unity of Punjab. Instructions have been issued to the administration to investigate it and take strict action against the culprits."
Notably, Pawan Dravid, Chairman of the Maha Snan Prabandhak Committee at Shri Ram, has called for Amritsar Bandh today.