Call for Amritsar Shutdown: Activist Targets Dal Khalsa Over 1984 Anniversary Programs

AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—On the eve of 33^rd anniversary of 1984’s holocaust, the pro-freedom Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has once again given a call for Amritsar shutdown on June 6. The party has termed it as an attempt to express protest against the Indian government for barbarically massacring hundreds of innocent Sikh pilgrims and looting the precious Sikh literature during June 1984 attack.

Addressing a press conference at Amritsar Sahib on June 1, the Dal Khalsa president S. Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the Amritsar residents had been supporting their call for shutdown since 2013. He assured that the shutdown call was for only educational and there would be no hindrance to transport vehicles.

Meanwhile, video of an exploited Sikh activist by Dal Khalsa named S. Ranjit Singh has gone viral over social media. He has strongly objected over the shutdown call given by Dal Khalsa on June 6 by saying that the Dal Khalsa was exploiting Sikh activists for their own benefits.

He explains in the video how Amritsar citizens followed the call for Amritsar shutdown in 2015 and helped them in making the shutdown successful. But unfortunately at a shop, the shopkeepers got into clash with them resulting in their arrest by Police.

He further explains that it was extremely painful for them when the Dal Khalsa leaders stepped back from following their legal proceedings by terming them ‘miscreants’. He alleges that he and his companions had to serve three months sentence and their release could become possible only with the efforts of S. Simranjit Singh Mann.

Meanwhile, Dal Khalsa has alleged that the victim has made up lies against the organization.  Speaking with Sikh24, S. Kanwarpal Singh said, “He is doing so on the guidelines of those who are opposing the bandh call.”

“He along with many youth were arrested after some youth had a fight with SGPC within the complex and once they came out and started roaming in bazaars they got arrested. Police arrested them and we were unaware. Next day when we learnt, I took families of some of arrested boys to SGPC and pressed the Secretary to withdraw the cases against them. They took some time but later on, they withdrew the cases.”

Kanwarpal Singh further alleged that the arrested persons were not known to the organizations.  “We never urged anyone outside our group to move around and press people to shutdown. They did their own and we weren’t aware. We never advocated forceful Bandh. We declared that our activists will ensure complete bandh. We don’t want any of the youth to face police ire,” he added.