JALANDHAR, Punjab—In an attempt to provoke Sikh sentiments, members of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat took out a march in Jalandhar on October 11. Several members of the right-wing Hindu organization were wearing kirpans similar to the kakkar worn by the Sikhs. The kirpans were worn inside gatre by the RSS terrorists who were leading the march.
The gatras were looking much like the symbol of Sikh faith ‘Gatra & Kirpan’ that outraged the local Sikh masses. Balwinder Singh from Model Town told Sikh24, “We were speechless when we saw RSS members carry out their march. They had large number of followers. We feel many members came from outside of Punjab to assist with the march.”
“We have asked the Jalandhar police to register a case against the RSS leaders under section 295-A for hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community. We don’t care if they want to carry out processions, however, they have no right to wear our religious articles,” Singh said.
While several jeeps and cars were part of the procession, many of the marchers also rode motorcycles holding right-wing Hindu flags. The march started from the ‘Dussehra’ ground of Model House in Jalandhar. Similar to this march, three other marches were also carried out in Jalandhar on the same day.
Strongly condemning the RSS’ bid to hurt Sikh sentiments, Chief Organizing Secretary of Youth Akali Dal Amritsar Bhai Papalpreet Singh said, “pro-Hindutva body RSS wants to disturb communal harmony in the state. RSS was trying by tooth & nail to oppress minorities within India.”
“Such activities by Hindu activists make us realize our enslaved condition in India but unfortunately we are seeking justice instead of freedom,” he added.