Jalandhar and Ludhiana on Tuesday witnessed a complete shutdown (Bandh) that was called by the Valmiki and Ravidas community along with other organisations. Jalandhar Bandh and Ludhiana Bandh were called in protest against the vandalism of Dr. BR Ambedkar's statue in Amritsar on Republic Day 2025. The accused who vandalised Ambedkar's statue in Amritsar was arrested after being caught by the locals. Amritsar CP Gurpreet Bhullar informed that the accused Aakash Singh also comes from the SC community and the accused's mother revealed that he came back to Punjab from Dubai just a few months back. Nevertheless, outraged by the vandalism of Ambedkar's statue, many outfits called for Jalandhar and Ludhiana Bandh on Tuesday.
Jalandhar Bandh News
Jalandhar remained completely closed today. No businessman opened his business in all the markets and other places of the city. Those who kept their shops open had to shut it down after protestors reached at the spot. Apart from the Ambedkar statue vandalism, the bandh was announced due to the protest done by Khalistan supporters on March 25 in Jalandhar. The effect of the bandh was visible from 8 am.
More than 2500 police forces were deployed at every square and intersection. The bandh lasted till around 5 pm. After which the squares and intersections were vacated and the markets and shops were opened again.
Other emergency facilities including those of students going to give medical and university exams remained operational.
Joint Commissioner of Jalandhar Commissionerate Police Sandeep Sharma interacting with the media said, "More than 2500 officers are in the field in the entire city. Heavy force is deployed at every square intersection. So that no controversial situation arises in Punjab. Jalandhar Bandh is going on peacefully. The protest is being done at a total of 10 to 11 places. Traffic has been diverted at many places. Due to this there will be no problem in traffic in the city and outside the city."
Sat Guru Kabir Tiger Force President Arun Sandal said, "Our society condemns the incident that happened in Sri Amritsar Sahib. Also, we have come to know that some mischievous elements had come to our leader Baba Sahib Ambedkar Chowk. They tried to enter the square, but the police somehow stopped them."
President Sandal said that the sacrilege that happened in Amritsar could have happened in Jalandhar as well. In view of this, a bandh was called on Tuesday. We had talked to the administration, but the administration did not give us any assurance. Due to this, we had to call for a bandh.
Ludhiana Bandh News
The protesters gathered at Ghant Ghar Chowk under the leadership of Vijay Danav. Protestors Yashpal Chaudhary and Vijay Danav demanded action against the culprit under the National Security Act (NSA). They said that Baba Saheb has given equal rights to everyone in the society and breaking his statue is unforgivable.
However, the bandh call given by the protestors did not have any significant impact in the city. Business establishments and markets remained open as usual. The protesters registered their protest peacefully and demanded strict action against the accused.