National / Punjab Desk
Ludhiana
28 January
Journalist Sandeep Dhand
Several districts in Punjab observed a bandh on January 26 following the desecration of a statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar in Amritsar. The bandh will continue on January 28 in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Phagwara, Nawanshahr, and Hoshiarpur.
In response to the bandh call, many private schools in these cities have declared holidays to ensure the safety of students and institutions.
The incident that triggered the protests occurred on Republic Day, when a youth attempted to damage the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar on Heritage Street in Amritsar. The accused, identified as Akash Singh from Dharamkot, struck the statue with a hammer. He has been arrested by the police.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has strongly condemned the act and ordered strict action against the accused. “Such incidents will not be tolerated, and justice will be ensured,” he stated.
The sacrilege has sparked outrage across the state, with several organizations demanding justice and respect for the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar. The bandh highlights the widespread anger and solidarity among people to preserve the dignity of the nation’s constitutional architect.