560-Day Punjab Sacrilege Protest to Conclude as Farmer Descends from Tower
Punjab sacrilege protest: After 560 days atop 400-ft BSNL tower, farmer to descend on Friday
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, a 43-year-old farmer from Kheri Nagaiyan village, will end his 560-day protest atop a 400-foot BSNL tower in Patiala district, Punjab, on April 24. His protest, demanding stricter laws against sacrilege, coincides with the conclusion of a dharna by the Dharam Yudh Morcha group following the passage of a sacrilege Bill.
- 01Gurjeet Singh Khalsa's protest lasted 560 days atop a BSNL tower.
- 02The protest demanded stricter laws against sacrilege incidents in Punjab.
- 03Khalsa plans to descend on April 24, coinciding with a religious ceremony.
- 04The Punjab government recently passed a sacrilege Bill, prompting the end of the protest.
- 05Supporters will also lift their dharna at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Chowk.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, a farmer from Kheri Nagaiyan village in Punjab, will conclude his 560-day protest on April 24 by descending from a 400-foot-high BSNL tower in Patiala district. His protest, which began on October 12, 2021, aimed to demand stricter laws against sacrilege incidents. The Dharam Yudh Morcha, under which Khalsa protested, has been active since February 24, 2023. The conclusion of his protest aligns with the recent passage of a sacrilege Bill by the Punjab Assembly on April 13, which received the governor's assent on April 17 and was notified on April 20. Khalsa's supporters will also end their dharna at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Chowk on the same day. Khalsa expressed his intention to descend on his own, stating he would do so while chanting 'Waheguru' and in high spirits. The decision to descend was influenced by the ongoing wheat harvesting season and the need to clear the route for trucks. The local administration had been in discussions about safely bringing him down, but Khalsa opted for a self-initiated descent.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The conclusion of the protest may restore normalcy in the area, allowing for the passage of trucks loaded with wheat grain during the harvesting season.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support stricter laws against sacrilege incidents in Punjab?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.


