Schools and businesses have been shut in Punjab on Friday, August 21, following a shutdown call given by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha. The ‘Punjab Bandh’ has brought parts of Punjab to a halt on Friday, with private schools declaring holidays, Panjab University rescheduling exams, and organisations including the SGPC, Shiromani Akali Dal factions, and farmer bodies extending support to the bandh, held to press for the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh prisoners) and parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara.
The bandh will be held from 7 am to 2 pm in the state on Friday.
The Morcha has called for the , transport services and educational institutions to make the bandh a success. However, essential services such as medical emergencies, as well as travel to airports, exams and wedding ceremonies, will be allowed, the Morcha leaders have said, as reported by PTI.
Why Punjab Bandh Is Being Observed On Friday
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has called for a bandh on Friday demanding parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence for the assassination of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995 and the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’. The term refers to Sikh prisoners convicted for their involvement in militancy during the insurgency of the 1990s in the state.
The Morcha’s demand includes the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar. Rajoana is a convict in the 1995 assassination of Beant Singh, while Bhullar is serving a sentence in connection with the 1993 Delhi bomb blast case.
On August 15, the Morcha had given a call for a march towards the Punjab governor’s residence to press for demands. However, the Chandigarh Police used tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse protesters who tried to breach barricades during their march.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already met the governor, favouring a 10-day parole for Hawara so that he could meet his ailing mother.
The group has been holding a prolonged protest along Sector 52-53 in Chandigarh and YPS Chowk in Mohali since January 7, 2023, as part of its campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners.
Schools Shut, Panjab University Exams Postponed
A federation of private schools in Punjab on Thursday announced a school holiday. Federation of Private Schools and Association of Punjab (FAP), a representative of over 7,500 private schools in the state, said it has announced a holiday in all schools on August 21, adding that the decision was taken giving priority to safety of students.
To avoid inconvenience to students, Panjab University announced the postponement of exams to be held on Friday for those who could not appear previously. These exams will now be conducted on September 10.
Who Is Supporting The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha’s ‘Punjab Bandh’
Several organisations, including Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit General) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Waris Punjab De have extended their support to the bandh call.
The SGPC has rescheduled its executive committee meeting from August 21 to 22. It has also announced that its offices and institutions will remain shut on Friday in support of the Punjab Bandh call.
Farmers’ bodies like Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal) have also come out in support of the proposed shutdown, while Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher urged people to make it a success.