Punjab bandh today: Here's what will remain shut from 7 am to 2 pm

Punjab is set to witness a seven-hour bandh on Friday as the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha calls for the release of Sikh prisoners. The shutdown, which has received backing from several Sikh political parties, farmer groups, religious organisations and employee bodies, is expected to affect transport, commercial establishments and some educational institutions.

The bandh will remain in force from 7 am to 2 pm. Protesters have announced plans to block highways and railway tracks and close shops and other commercial establishments during the period.

Schools may remain shut, exams postponed

Punjab Education Secretary Sonali Giri said no directions had been issued by the government for educational institutions to close.

However, the Association of Private Unaided Schools and Federation of Private Schools and Association of Punjab have advised their members to keep institutions closed on Friday, citing the safety of students and teachers.

State and central-run colleges and universities have not announced a holiday. Panjab University, however, has postponed Friday’s examinations to September 10 to avoid inconvenience to students.

Essential services will continue during the shutdown. The morcha has said medical emergencies, airport travel, examinations and wedding-related travel will be exempted.

“Transportation, shops and other commercial outlets will remain shut from 7 am to 2 pm. Hospitals and chemist shops will remain open. Ambulances, funeral vans and vehicles being used for weddings will be exempted. No person or commuter in an emergency will be stopped,” said morcha convener Pal Singh France.

Why is Punjab observing the bandh?

The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has been demanding the release or commutation of sentences of Sikh prisoners. It has been holding an indefinite sit-in at the Mohali-Chandigarh border since January 7, 2023.

The bandh call was announced on August 15 after Chandigarh Police used tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse protesters attempting to march towards the Punjab governor’s residence.

“We don’t want to harass the public or cause any disruption to routine life and businesses. This shutdown call is meant to seek justice for Sikh prisoners who have been languishing in different jails for decades. They have been even deprived of parole,” France said.

SGPC, Sikh groups back shutdown

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, farmer organisations, employee unions and several Sikh political parties have backed the bandh.

The SGPC has also postponed its executive committee meeting to August 22. Its offices and institutions will remain closed on Friday.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “The SGPC had been consistently making efforts for the release of Sikh prisoners and will continue to extend full support to every peaceful struggle undertaken for the cause.”

The prisoners whose release or sentence commutation is being sought include Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana, Paramjit Singh Bheora, Jagtar Singh Tara, Gurdeep Singh Khera and Davinderpal Singh Bhullar.