Public transport came to a grinding halt for nearly three hours in the city on Tuesday after Sikh protesters sat on the road outside the local bus stand to mark protest against the alleged sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib at various places in the state.
On the call for a three-hour sit-in from 10am to 1pm, members of various Sikh associations from the district held a protest, resulting in a road blockade with traffic remaining completely choked. Passengers were a harried lot.
A police team led by Kapurthala deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Daljit Singh Dhillon that rushed to the spot did not intervene to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles.
The protesters demanded the arrest of those involved in the alleged sacrilege of the Sikh holy book.
They said since the Supreme Court had given the honour of the living guru to Guru Granth Sahib, the accused should be booked under sections 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The protesters also demanded strict action against the policemen involved in firing at two Sikh protesters in Faridkot, resulting in their death.
{{/usCountry}}The protesters also demanded strict action against the policemen involved in firing at two Sikh protesters in Faridkot, resulting in their death.
{{/usCountry}}Two similar protests — at Rihana Jattan and Hadiabad Chowk — were also witnessed in the city, where hundreds of Sikh protesters sat on a dharna from 10am to 1pm, resulting in blockade of traffic.