Alongside these marriage restrictions, the panchayat has also taken a firm stance against drug-related activities, announcing that no villager will act as a witness or arrange bail for those accused of drug offenses. The report by Observer Post also provided the stance of Sukhchain Singh, the husband of village sarpanch Ranvir Kaur, who defended the decision claiming that there has been a rise in the number of migrants, particularly around a nearby market. He explained, “The girl is considered the daughter of the village,” and asserted that the resolution had significant local support, although he believed it had been misrepresented by some reports.

The village, with a population of around 3,500 voters, now houses about 300 migrants. The move is part of broader tensions in Punjab surrounding migrant issues, which include opposition to migrant candidates in local panchayat elections and other instances where villages have sought to restrict migrant presence. In similar moves earlier this year, other villages in Punjab, including Kaudi and Jandpur, imposed curfews on migrants after 9 pm, leading to legal interventions, such as the reprimand from the Punjab and Haryana High Court over anti-migrant hoardings. These actions reflect the growing sentiment in certain areas of Punjab, and in Haryana, where khap panchayats have pushed for changes to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, to outlaw intra-gotra and intra-village marriages.

This move comes amid broader tensions surrounding migrant issues in Punjab, where local panchayat elections have witnessed opposition to migrant candidates, and other villages, such as Kaudi and Jandpur, have imposed curfews on migrants after 9 pm. The actions of the Jawaharke panchayat reflect a growing hostility towards migrants, which has been evident in other parts of Punjab and Haryana. This hostility mirrors the actions of khap panchayats, which have pushed for changes to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, to prohibit intra-gotra and intra-village marriages. The khap panchayats’ long-standing influence in rural areas has centred on restricting personal freedoms in the name of preserving cultural and social order, often with a particular focus on controlling women’s marital choices.

Khap panchayats, traditional village councils, have long been involved in regulating social conduct, particularly in rural North India. Their decisions often focus on issues of marriage, caste, and social behaviour, with particular emphasis on preserving what they consider traditional norms. These councils, typically dominated by older men from influential families, have historically sought to control who can marry whom, often enforcing prohibitions on intra-gotra (clan) marriages and inter-caste unions. Such decisions reflect a broader, patriarchal desire to maintain control over women’s lives, particularly their marital choices, and to ensure the preservation of caste and social structures.

Undermining women’s autonomy: The gendered impact of the panchayat’s decision

The resolution passed by the Jawaharke panchayat, alongside similar actions by khap panchayats in North India, represents a dangerous erosion of women’s autonomy, particularly in rural settings. By prohibiting unions with outsiders or within the village, the panchayat directly interferes with women’s ability to make independent decisions about their marriages and futures. These decisions reflect a deeper, patriarchal desire to control women’s sexual and reproductive choices, reducing them to instruments of family and community honour rather than autonomous individuals with rights to self-determination.

The assertion that “the girl is considered the daughter of the village” underscores a paternalistic and objectifying view of women, treating them as property to be controlled and protected from external influences. This reflects the long-standing practices of khap panchayats, which have historically imposed strict rules on marriage to ensure women remain within the confines of what is deemed acceptable by communal standards. The fear that allowing women to marry outsiders or even within the village would lead to the “loss of control” over their roles in society reveals the deeply entrenched patriarchal structures that limit women’s freedom. Such actions reinforce a system where women’s choices are secondary to community and familial interests, treating them as subjects rather than agents in their own lives.

The resolution’s impact is not isolated; it reflects a broader pattern in which women’s rights to choose their life partners are subordinated to communal and patriarchal dictates. Similar to khap panchayats’ efforts to control marriage through caste and lineage restrictions, the Jawaharke panchayat’s decision shows how local governance can perpetuate a regressive social order. By framing these actions as a defence of “community values,” the panchayat disregards the basic human rights of women to make choices about their lives. In effect, these measures not only restrict women’s autonomy but also reinforce a system where women’s roles are dictated by outdated norms, stifling their personal freedom in the name of tradition and cultural preservation.

This approach is not only deeply oppressive but also indicative of a broader societal problem—one where women’s autonomy is consistently undermined under the guise of protecting social stability. Whether through khap panchayats or local village councils like Jawaharke’s, the control over women’s marital choices is a clear tactic to maintain patriarchal control, limiting their freedoms and opportunities for self-expression. The resulting societal harm is not just the suppression of individual rights, but the entrenchment of gender inequality, where women are treated as subordinate to the collective interests of the community and its outdated traditions.

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The post Khap Panchayat resolution to control marriages: Women’s autonomy at risk in Jawaharke, Punjab appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Masih said he was separately marking them so that they wouldn’t get mixed up. To this, the bench of Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud remarked, “You [Masih] had to sign the ballot papers only. Where is it provided in the rules that you can put other marks in the ballot papers?” LiveLaw reported.

The SC was posing questions to Mr Anil Masih, the presiding officer of the mayoral elections as to the reason for his ‘unusual conduct’ while counting the votes. The bench also opined that Mr Masih should be prosecuted for interfering with the election process. The Court said that instead of ordering a fresh election, it would order the counting of votes based on the existing ballots by a neutral Presiding Officer. The Court directed that the ballot papers in the custody of the Registrar General of the High Court be produced before the Court tomorrow at 2 PM in accordance with relevant steps for the preservation of the ballot papers for the scrutiny of the court.

Mr. Anil Masih, is a nominated member of the Chandigarh Municipality and belonging to the BJP, was appointed as the Presiding Officer of the Chandigarh Mayor elections. On February 5, the Court had directed the personal presence of Mr. Masih, after seeing the videos which suggested that he had put marks on certain ballot papers to deliberately render them invalid, helping the victory of the BJP candidate. The Court had also remarked that what the Chandigarh mayoral elections had witnessed was a “murder of democracy.”

Later, it said it was deeply concerned about the horse-trading that was taking place.

On Sunday, although the BJP mayor, Manoj Sonkar, resigned from his post amid rigging allegations, three AAP councillors joined the party in order to turn the tide in its favour in the event of a repoll.

Reacting on the development, AAP supremo and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said in Delhi today said that Manoj Sonkar’s resignation proved that the elections were manipulated.

“Now when the BJP can’t win elections, our councillors are being purchased and broken,” Kejriwal said.

AAP Punjab spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said that earlier, the BJP’s wrongdoings were caught on camera and were noticed by the Supreme Court. Now, the BJP are poaching AAP councillors overnight with an ‘Operation Lotus’, he said.

“I don’t think there has been any bigger mockery of Indian democracy,” he added.

“The world is witnessing the BJP’s greed for power”, said AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sonkar’s resignation and the alleged poaching of the three AAP councillors.

Today, Monday, February 19, in a detailed round of questioning by CJI DY Chandrachud, the Returning Officer, Mr Masih admitted that he did put certain marks on 8 ballot papers while the counting process was ongoing.

LiveLaw reports the exchange that may be read here.

In his defence, Mr Masih explained that he had only put markings (and not an X mark per say) on those ballot papers to ensure that they do not get mixed with other papers. He also informed that right when he did these markings, Mr Manohar and Mrs Premlata belonging to the AAP party came and started snatching and destroying the ballot papers. He further added that the Chandigarh Police Marshalls had to intervene and preserve the ballot papers amidst the said chaos.

The CJI however, still pressed as to what necessitated the presiding officer to make such marking in the first place. The bench asked him under which provision of the law was he entitled to make such markings, as his post as a presiding officer only allowed him to put his signature under each ballot paper and nothing beyond.

CJI : Ballot paper ko deface aap kyu kar rahe the? App aise kyu kare? Aapko sign karna hai? (Why did you deface the ballot papers? You had to sign the papers only. Where is it provided in the rules that you can put other marks in the ballot papers)

Masih: Sir I was highlighting that they are defaced

CJI : So it is admitted that you have put your marks on the ballot

Masih : Jee (yes) Sir

Considering the above response of the Officer, the CJI expressed his utter disappointment towards the flouting of duties as a Returning Officer which as per him deserved prosecution.

” His answer is very clear, he has to be prosecuted. I think interfering with the electoral democracy by a Returning Officer is the gravest possible thing.”

It was the claim of Mr Masih that he had only put marks on 8 ballot papers which were defaced. The bench took note of the fact that the present irregularities in the election process have led to horse-trading amongst political parties.

“The process of horse-trading which is going on is a serious matter…”

CJI directed that the Registrar General of the P&H High Court appoint a judicial officer who shall produce the ballot papers before the Court for their perusal.

The bench comprising the Chief Justice, DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was informed that the incumbent mayor from the BJP has resigned. Then turning towards the solicitor general, CJI Chandrachud further said, “Mr Solicitor, he has to be prosecuted. He was interfering with [the] election process”.

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The post Chandigarh Mayor Poll: Presiding Officer admits putting marks on 8 Ballots; ‘He Must Be Prosecuted’, Says Supreme Court appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A video has surfaced on Twitter today showing a truck driver being attacked by some goons, in the presence of police personnel. While there is a lot of commotion in the video, it is clear that a few men stopped a truck in the middle of the road and started threatening the driver and demanded that he get off the truck and open the truck and show what he was carrying.

The person recording the video can be heard saying that the truck was smuggling “gomata” or cows to Srinagar. While the truck driver was being beaten up mercilessly on a dark dingy side of the road.

Location: Amritsar, Punjab

Date: February 10 around 2 am

Members of various Cow vigilante groups, including Hindu Jagruti Manch, thrashed a truck driver in front of policemen over cattle smuggling allegations. The truck was on its way from Faridkot to Jammu. pic.twitter.com/kMKRS0s6ey

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) February 10, 2023

One of the men can also be  heard directing the police to handcuff the driver. Another man can be heard telling others to stop beating up. One man can be heard saying that he salutes Punjab Police for catching these trucks as they are smuggling cows and it is a sin under Sanatan Dharm.

The video, however, stopped when the truck door was being opened to show whether the truck was really carrying the cows as alleged.

Cow vigilantism is not a common phenomenon in Punjab and no such incident in recent times has been reported from the state.

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The post Cow vigilantes attack truck driver in Amritsar appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A pukka Morcha has been planned outside the office of the chief minister Bhagwant Mann on September 12th by a set of agricultural labour organizations. A most significant event in light of the mass political movement of the dalit agricultural community of Punjab.

A meeting was convened by Zameen Prapt Sangharsh commitee leader Mukesh Mulaudh,where leaders of all agricultural labour groups participated. Around 1000 persons are expected to participate.

A most intensive gherao has been planned to do justice to the sustained challenge to the ruling classes for the basic demands of the agricultural labour community.Inspite of a chain of village level protests the chief minister has virtually paid a deaf ear to the grievances, after making promises earlier during negotiations.

Demands include distribution of 1/3rd of Panchayat land to every dalit family, work for atleast 100 days a year, scrapping of all debts, awarding of 10 marlas of land to each dalit family, implementation of 1971 land ceilings act preventing anyone from being in possession of more than 30 acres of land, pukka houses for dalits scrapping of electricity metres.

It has almost become a routine habit of the administration to retract from promises made to undertake distribution of Panchayat land and auctioning at fair price and many activists have been targeted for waging resistance in recent times.

A most progressive phenomena has been the unity of dalit agricultural labour groups from various sections of the revolutionary camp, since Chandigarh in 2016.They include the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union,the Pendu Mazdoor Union,2 sections of the Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union,Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha .Together they have undertaken blockades of rail tracks last December and relentlessly staged protests outside the Chief Minister’s palatial house., mobilising over 5000 agricultural workers. A binding force has been the Zammen Prapt Sangharsh commitee,which has propelled many an agitation, waging resistance at the block levels. It is heartening that mutual differences have not vitiated the broad unity, which is absolutely imperative.

Leaders participating included Laxman Sewevala, Sanjeeev Mintu, Lakhvir Singh,Kashmir Singh Gugshore,, Paramjeet Kaur, Makhan Singh,Dev Kumari and Darshan Nahar.

Plans were initiated to fortify the protest with a proper medical team, drinking water and toilet arrangements etc.a with a strong team of volunteers.

In a most calculative or methodical manner the agricultural labour organisations are organising campaigns at the very grassroots, to spur the dalit community to join the protest. Impressive meetings are being conducted by Krantikari PenduMazdoor Union in Sangrur and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union in Malwa region.An important feature of the united protests in recent years are he mass preparations.

It is important that support is garnered to this protest from students, industrial workers and the landed pleasantry. It is perhaps time that the organizations of the landed peasantry in Punjab initiated self-criticism on the inability to draw in the dalit agricultural labour in their mass rallies. Another important issue to be confronted is the rekindling of Sikh separatist politics, which is tarnishing the name of Shaheed Bhagat Sngh.

Harsh Thakor is freelance journalist who has frequently travelled to Punjab to cover mass programmes and participated in protest of agricultural labour

Courtesy: https://countercurrents.org

The post Dalit Agricultural labour Organisations of Punjab to stage protest outside chief Minister’s house on September 12th appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A group of miscreants vandalised a church in Punjab’s Taran Tarn district, desecrating statues of Jesus and Mary. They also set the local pastor’s car on fire.

According to News 18, this incident comes just two days after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against some Nihangs (a sect of Sikhs), for allegedly disrupting an event organised by Christian missionaries at Daduana village in Amritsar district.

NDTV shared a screengrab from CCTV cameras that shows a person wearing a red scarf decapitating the statue.

Screengrab of CCTV at Church courtesy NDTV

RS Dhillon, Senior Superintendent of Police, told the channel, “A few notorious elements tried to vandalise the idol of Jesus and set ablaze a car at Church in Patti. We’re investigating the matter and have vital clues. There were fouur people, we are after the culprits. We hope to solve it soon. An FIR has been lodged.”

According to the police the accused avoided main roads where there are police checkpoints and therefore it is taking time to track them.

Following the attack, Christians held protests demanding immediate arrest of the accused. They blocked all roads leading to Khemkaran, Bhikhiwind, Patti, Harike, and Ferozepur.

Meanwhile, in a video message released on Facebook released the same day as the attack, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh accused Christian clergymen of conducting forced and fraudulent conversions. He said in Punjabi, “So-called Christian missionaries have been forcibly converting Sikhs through fraudulent practices. Sikhs and Hindus of Punjab are being misled and converted. This is happening right under the government’s nose. Though there are provisions in the law to book for superstitious practices in the name of religion, no government is ready to act against them (missionaries) due to vote bank politics.”

The video may be viewed here:

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has promised strict action against the attackers. In a tweet in Punjabi, he said, “No one will be allowed to break the brotherhood of Punjab. Tarna Taran incident is very unfortunate. Investigate it and strict action against the culprits.”

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਕ ਸਾਂਝ ਤੋੜਣ ਦੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਇਜਾਜ਼ਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ..ਤਰਨਤਾਰਨ ਵਾਲੀ ਘਟਨਾ ਬੇਹੱਦ ਮੰਦਭਾਗੀ ਹੈ..ਇਸਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਅਤੇ ਦੋਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਦੇ ਨਿਰਦੇਸ਼ ..

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) August 31, 2022

It is noteworthy, that at 1.3 percent Christians are still a minority in the state. However, some right-wing publications have been publishing reports of a huge spike in the numbers of Christians and attributing it to “forced conversions”. For example, in August 2020, Hindu Post ran an article titled 10% of Punjab is now Christian! Why are people converting and what can be done?

In the article, the writer Pawan Pandey, claimed that while there were only about 3.5 lakh Christians in Punjab as per the 2011 Census, their numbers were now close to 32 lakhs! He arrived at the figure after some very questionable extrapolations. He alleged that many Christian pastors “keep saffron robes, live in ashrams and make temple like churches.” He further said that Christians were appropriating Hindu and Sikh practices to confuse rural Sikhs. He said they had texts titled Yeshu Puran, Yeshu Sahastranama, Yeshu Veda and Yeshu Upanishad.

It is noteworthy that in the recent state assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had toppled the long-ruling coalition of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This was mainly due to SAD severing ties with the BJP over the agricultural laws that led to the farmers’ agitation.

Meanwhile, next door in Haryana, the BJP-led government passed an anti-conversion law this year. In the run up to the passage of this law, local Christians in Haryana had faced intimidation from right-wing mobs. On December 26, the life-size statue of Jesus Christ at the Holy Redeemer Church in the cantonment area in Haryana’s Ambala was desecrated. Then, a Christmas celebration was disrupted in Kurukshetra when right-wing zealots who while shouting slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ took over. They entered the venue and made their way to the state, and started playing Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeakers, even as hapless local Christians looked on in shock and disbelief.

In fact, according to a report, by the United Christian Forum (UCF), 2021 was one of the worst years for Christians in India. It said that its toll-free helpline number 1800-208-4545 has responded to more than one complaint of anti-Christian harassment or violence a day. The year has ended with over 500 such complaints being reported on the helpline. The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) recorded over 305 cases of attacks on Christians until November end. On Christmas weekend, communal mobs were out targeting Christians, and others, celebrating the festival of joy, including at school functions, across the country.

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The post Punjab: Christian Pastor’s car set on fire appeared first on SabrangIndia.

After the historic electoral win in Punjab’s, the state’s Chief Minister designate Bhagwant Mann, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal in their two separate speeches, shared one vision, that of progress. Both spoke of education, healthcare, employment, facilities for youth and women and more. This was a victory speech to beat all others. That the party has been voted to power by a massive majority in Punjab, has been hailed as an ‘inquilaab’ a revolution’ by Arvind Kejriwal.

Forty eight-year-old Bhagwant Mann, promised “changes within a month”. He had faced personal attacks from rivals accusing him of a ‘drinking habit’, but said “let’s forgive them”. Kejriwal, recalled that he was targetted by critics but the people of Punjab put “their trust on the AAP” and proved that he is “not a terrorist” but is a real “Desh Bhakt or patriot”. “Punjab waalo tussi kamaal kar ditta (people of Punjab you have done wonders”, said Kejriwal addressing a public gathering at the party headquarters in Delhi, his message reaching deep into Punjab and beyond, where the party has proven it has made inroads. Large images of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh adorned the AAP party dias. Mann also said that he would have his swearing in ceremony at Bhagat Singh’s village, Khatkarkhalan.

ਬਦਲਾਅ ਅਤੇ ਇਮਾਨਦਾਰ ਰਾਜਨੀਤੀ ਦੇ ਹੱਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਫ਼ਤਵਾ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਹਿਤੈਸ਼ੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਦਿਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਗਹਿਰਾਈਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ https://t.co/VffLLUGLDz

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 10, 2022

Kejriwal said Punjab’s voters had ushered a revolution and shaken up, big seats, listing all the major politicians who have now lost the Assembly election “Sukhbir Singh Badal lost, Captain Sahab lost, Channi Sahab lost, Parkash Singh Badal lost, Navjot Singh Sidhu lost, Bikram Singh Majithia lost” “Who beat Channi?” he asked, introducing people to Labh Singh Ugoke who works in a mobile repair shop. His mother is a sanitation worker in a government school and his father is a farm labourer. Navjot Singh Sidhu was defeated by “Jeevanjyot Kaur is an ordinary volunteer, she worked for the party at a very small scale, not only Sidhu, she beat a bigwig like Bikram Majithia too. This is why I say, Aam Aadmi is an Inquilab in itself. When the Aam Aadmi takes upon themselves to fulfil a cause, they shake up the toughest and the strongest. I call upon every single Indian to get behind our movement,” said Kejriwal hailing “the power of the aam aadmi or the common man,” who he says cannot be dismissed lightly, as the Punjab results have now proven. 

देश में ईमानदार राजनीति की नई उम्मीदों की ये शानदार जीत आप सभी को मुबारक हो | LIVE https://t.co/di2lAP83FJ

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 10, 2022

“AAP has changed the politics of the country,” said Kejriwal adding that “first this revolution happened in Delhi, then in Punjab and it will now happen all over the country.” Hesaid, the massive Punjab  mandate “scares us too, we won’t break people’s faith,” adding “in the last 75 yrs, these parties and leaders had the same British system, they were looting the country, no schools/hospitals were made. The AAP has changed the system.” He addressed the youth, reaching out beyond ab Ptoo, saying his party will create an education system in India so that “no student has to go to a small country Ukraine to study medicine, because it is cheaper.”

Back in Punjab, speaking to the large crowd that had gathered to listen to him, Mann echoed Kejriwal’s vision and also listed out his priorities as chief minister. “My first concern is unemployment. You have done your duty, now the responsibility is on my shoulders to deliver promises for Punjab. Have faith in me, we will change Punjab. A visible change will be seen in one month,” he said adding “the chief minister will work for the entire Punjab… not for a party. Every Punjabi will get the benefit of governance.”

ਬਦਲਾਅ ਅਤੇ ਇਮਾਨਦਾਰ ਰਾਜਨੀਤੀ ਦੇ ਹੱਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਫ਼ਤਵਾ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਹਿਤੈਸ਼ੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦਾ ਦਿਲ ਦੀਆਂ ਗਹਿਰਾਈਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ https://t.co/VffLLUGLDz

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 10, 2022

“My first aim is to provide more employment opportunities. We will save the youth of Punjab, frustrated due to unemployment” he added, seasoned leaders like Akali Dal’s Parkash Singh Badal, former chief minister Amarinder Singh, chief minister CS Channi and Navjot Singh Sidhu were routed. “Bade Badal Sahib has lost, Sukhbir (Badal) has lost from Jalalabad, Captain has lost from Patiala, Sidhu and Majithia are also losing, Channi has lost on both the seats..,” said Mann.

ਧੂਰੀ ਦੇ ਇਨਕਲਾਬੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਜਿੱਤ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਫ਼ਤਵਾ ਸ਼ਹੀਦ ਭਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅੰਬੇਡਕਰ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਰਪਿਤ… pic.twitter.com/KcA94SqalW

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 10, 2022

Kejriwal also altered the party that it “must not get arrogant,” after this win adding “Babasaheb (Ambedkar) and Bhagat Singh’s dreams have been realised today, we’ve built schools for the poor, given them excellent healthcare and ample opportunities to stand shoulder to shoulder with the elite class. This was no easy task. There are greater powers at work to derail our plans and hinder the growth of the country. We’re very weak compared to them. Biggest of the conspiracies unfolded in Punjab, be it vote transfers or nefarious acts, they did all they could, but they failed miserably. In the end they resorted to calling me a terrorist. Through the results we’ve gotten today, the people of this country have proven that I am not a terrorist but a ‘sapoot’ of this soil. They have proven that the real terrorists are those who are looting this country.”

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The post Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal celebrate PunjAAP, share common vision appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his campaign for assembly elections in Punjab, farmers held a Lok Kalyan rally in Bathinda and other regions to create awareness among people about the policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that have shown little concern for welfare of the agricultural sector.

Punjab goes to polls on February 20, 2022. Party leaders have also jumped into action, visiting the poll-bound regions, including the BJP. However, farmers’ anger continues to simmer.

On February 16, hundreds of farmers demonstrated at the district-level and sub-divisional level in answer to the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha’s (SKM) call asking people not to vote for the BJP. According to Punjab leader Jagmohan Singh, a group of 10-15 farmers carrying black flags was detained while some protesters went out on the road in protest. Since then, roads near the rally area have been blocked.

As reported by the Hindustan Times, Abohar town administration in Fazilka district announced a ‘no-fly zone’ for the duration of the rally as a “security measure”. While this is the first time Modi has come to Punjab since the January incident – where he was stuck at Ferozepur flyover for 15-20 minutes – this is the second time since Lakhimpur Kheri accused Ashish Mishra’s bail that farmers have come out in large numbers.

On February 14, farmers first demonstrated their ire in Bathinda and other parts of the state. Protesters were enraged on hearing about Mishra’s release at a time when many UP farmers were still facing FIRs for the same event. To condemn the BJP government, farmers burnt effigies on Monday. Even people at the village-level joined this protest and demanded the release of arrested farmers. Meanwhile, leaders observed the rally where it called upon people to unite and punish the BJP government. However, some leaders were put on house arrest while the PM’s rally continued.

Some farm leader of Punjab’s Doaba region under house detention amid PM Modi’s rally in Jalandhar.
Last time Modi had to cancel his rally in Punjab. pic.twitter.com/o0NqPoSVIH

— Sandeep Singh (@PunYaab) February 14, 2022

Earlier, farmer leaders resolved to undertake ground-level meetings and press conferences in all polling regions to tell the masses about farmer grievances and “punish” the BJP via people’s votes. Already, press conferences have begun in UP. Meanwhile, Punjab farmers said they will intensify their social boycott of BJP in Punab’s regions.

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The post Punjab: Farmers begin Lok Kalyan rally appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In what was dubbed a “major security lapse” by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stuck at a Punjab flyover for 15-20 minutes because it was blocked by protesters. Eventually, he had to return to Bathinda airport without visiting the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala where he originally intended to go.

Initially, Modi was to visit Ferozepur via helicopter. However, rain and poor visibility forced the convoy to travel by road for over two hours. Around 30 kms from his destination, the group found a flyover blocked by protesters despite confirmation of necessary security arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police. He eventually had to leave the state facing state elections in the near-future.

“This was a major lapse in the security of the Prime Minister. His schedule and travel plan was communicated well in advance to the Punjab government,” said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement.

It said the state government should have made the necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as kept a contingency plan. Further, the government should also deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, “which were clearly not deployed,” said the statement.

It may be noted that the Kisan Ekta Morcha, the social media handle of the farmer union’s umbrella body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) had started a hashtag “Go Back Modi” a day before the event questioning “who will compensate” the families of the over 700 farmers who died during the national farmers’ struggle.

Let’s make it very clear. This is because of huge protest by farmers & people of Punjab that Modi had to cancel his event.

There were very few people in the rally ground. Most of them were forced to attend. The rally is cancelled due to negative response by Punjabis.#GoBackModi pic.twitter.com/5Db1nP0kaw

— Kisan Ekta Morcha (@Kisanektamorcha) January 5, 2022

Earlier, Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik said that Modi demonstrated an “arrogant” attitude towards the plight of farmers stating “did the farmers die for me?”

PM Modi is directly & indirectly responsible fr the death of farmers
Who will compensate?? Who will apologize??#GoBackModi | 5th Jan | 8AM IST pic.twitter.com/R5UUOH4lKJ

— Kisan Ekta Morcha (@Kisanektamorcha) January 4, 2022

Still, the Ministry asked the administration for a detailed report and instructed the same to address this lapse. According to Rediff, Modi was going to lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth ₹ 42,750 crore in Ferozepur. However, following the protest, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on-stage that the Prime Minister will not be visiting “due to some reasons”.

Meanwhile, the news has driven BJP workers and right-wing media into a tizzy, some of whom called the incident a possible “national disaster”.

First video of PM @narendramodi‘s Security breach at Firozpur, Punjab. Several protesters seen running just alongside the Prime Minister’s convoy.

This could have ended up in a national disaster.#PMModi#SecurityBreach#Firozpur pic.twitter.com/iaFIGKoHMe

— Priti Gandhi – प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) January 5, 2022

PM security breach – Punjab government failure and Family Hatred towards @narendramodi

— Vikas Bhadauria (@vikasbha) January 5, 2022

Major security breach in PM @narendramodi ’s convoy in Punjab. PM was travelling by road,his convoy was stopped due to protestors blocking the road. PM waited for 20 minutes on the road and then returned. This can’t be done without Punjab Govt’s hand in glove role. pic.twitter.com/QA9EzwOaOv

— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) January 5, 2022

In response, the SKM said in a tweet in Hindi, “Last year on the same day, farmers’ fronts were engaged amidst heavy rains on the borders of Delhi.  Farmers also “stuck on the roads” for a year. But the farmers did not give up and returned after winning. Sir, don’t make excuses, accept the truth that people are against your policies!”

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Soon after team India was defeated by team Pakistan at the T20 World Cup match on Sunday, online trolling targeting Muslims, including Mohammad Shami, the only Muslim player in the indian team started. However, even more disturbing reports came in from Punjab, where police had to reach the Bhai Gurdas Institute of Engineering and Technology campus after several Kashmiri students were allegedly assaulted there, soon after the match ended. The college is located in Punjab’s Sangrur area.

One of the Kashmiri students shared the video of the ransacking on social media and said, “We were watching the match here. UP waale barged in. We came here to study. We are also Indian. You can see what was done to us. Are we not Indians? So what does Modi say?” 

Kashmiri studnts assaulted in Bhai GIET Sangur Punjab after #Indpak Match. Students from Bihar barged in their rooms, thrashed them &went on rampage, vandalised the rooms of students, damagd the hall, abusd & beat up a few others@CHARANJITCHANNI @AdityaMenon22 @ghazalimohammad pic.twitter.com/Dm7bPJkZ7d

— Nasir Khuehami (ناصر کہویہامی) (@NasirKhuehami) October 24, 2021

We are also Indian, why we are being attacked over a cricket match by goons from UP: A Kashmiri student studing in a Punjab college! pic.twitter.com/CzTdamtOto

— Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) October 25, 2021

According to some reports, similar incidents were also reported from the Rayat Bahra University in Kharar. Nasir Khuehami, the national spokesperson J&K Students Association, told the media that, “Kashmiri students who were assaulted in Sangrur and Kharar Mohali told me that they were rescued by the locals and other Punjabi students. Students from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana had barged into their rooms, thrashed them and went on a rampage.” Khuehami added that, “All the students are from Rayat Bahra University. They said that they were hit by several goons from Haryana.” He further said, “Punjab Police must ensure the protection of Kashmiri students studying in Punjab. I have spoken to several in Bhai Gurdas Engineering and Technology College. They told me that students from Bihar had hit them, vandalised the rooms, damaged the hall, and even abused and beat up a few others.”

However, according to reports, no police case has been filed as yet but “both sides apologised to each other in front of police and college authorities this morning.” The distressing video clips of broken chairs, upturned beds in their hostel rooms and also injuries sustained the alleged assault on their bodies.

Police officials said, “There are about 90 Kashmiri students and around 30 students from UP and Bihar in the college. Kashmiri students stay in 2 wings of the hostel. While the match was on, the students cheered when Pakistan was hitting runs. They also raised azadi slogans. After the match ended, students from UP and Bihar went inside the rooms of Kashmiri students and had a scuffle with them. Later, the Kashmiri students also had a scuffle with the students from UP and Bihar. The police and college authorities pacified things overnight.”

The Indian Express reported that Swapan Sharma, SSP Sangrur district, said, “Both sides have offered their apologies in front of the police and college authorities today morning. The issue has been settled down.” 

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called this alleged vandalism distressing and asked Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi to “reassure Kashmiri students.”

It is distressing to hear about the incidents of physical & verbal assault against some Kashmiri students in a college in Punjab last night. I request @CHARANJITCHANNI ji to direct @PunjabPoliceInd to look in to this & also to reassure the students studying in Punjab.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 25, 2021

Meanwhile Twitter influencers have been fanning the communal fires that the massive defeat of team India at the hands of team Pakistan has ignited. A case in point is former cricket Virender Sehwag, who claimed and taunted that “in parts of India there were firecrackers to celebrate Pakistan ‘s victory. Achha they must have been celebrating victory of cricket. Toh, what’s the harm in fireworks on Diwali. Hypocrisy kyun, Saara gyaan tab hi yaad aata hai.”

Firecrackers are banned during Diwali but yesterday in parts of India there were firecrackers to celebrate Pakistan ‘s victory. Achha they must have been celebrating victory of cricket. Toh , what’s the harm in fireworks on Diwali. Hypocrisy kyun ,Saara gyaan tab hi yaad aata hai

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 25, 2021

Then there one Dr. Monika Langeh, who claims to be “Honoured and Blessed to be followed by Hon’ble PM @narendramodi”, shared that “MBBS and PG students of SKIMS Medical college Srinagar, Kashmir.They are celebrating the victory of Paki$tan over India” calling them “traitors” and claimed she had faced “this behaviour of Mu$lims of Kashmir since College Time. They are pursuing free MBBS degree from GoI.”

They are MBBS and PG students of SKIMS Medical college Srinagar, Kashmir .They are celebrating the victory of Paki$tan over India.Shame on Traitor$ and we are Facing this behaviour of Mu$lims of Kashmir since College Time .They are persuing free MBBS degree from GoI. pic.twitter.com/Wvv5AegBWb

— Dr.Monika Langeh (@drmonika_langeh) October 24, 2021

With lakhs following them online, such messages only empower the troll and mobs to unleash violence offline, as was seen in Punjab.

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The Punjab State cabinet has decided to amend its Remission Policy 2010 to allow convicts to avail of remission from time to time. Remission is the reduction of the term of a prison sentence, usually due to good behaviour.

During a virtual meeting, the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh approved the amendment which makes remission applicable for prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for more than 10 years, including prisoners sentenced for life. The policy as it exists currently allows remission for convicts sentenced to 10 to 20 years of imprisonment.

The Amendment has included a list of offences which will be considered for remission after the amendment. These include the following offences under the Indian Penal Code: section 302 (murder); 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder); 376 (rape) and all sub-clauses of section 376; and section 377 (unnatural offences).

“After thoroughly examining the Remission Policy it was felt that some amendments were required to be effected in it. These amendments have now been included in the new Remission Policy 2021 so that the convicts confined in the jails of Punjab may get the benefit of remission granted from time to time. In addition, the new policy also incorporates some other important amendments relating to crimes against women that have been effected in the IPC,” a spokesperson told Indian Express.

Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) P K Sinha told IE that the new policy removes ambiguities in the earlier policy and is more appropriately worded.

The government of Punjab account on twitter also confirmed the same:

Convicted prisoners in Punjab will now be eligible for remission from time to time, instead of just once, under the amendment to the Remission Policy 2010, approved today by the #PunjabCabinet led by Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh.

— Government of Punjab (@PunjabGovtIndia) March 31, 2021

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