Covid protocol, political events cast shadow over patriotic celebrations

Tribune News Service

Khatkar Kalan, September 28

On being denied entry inside the memorial of Bhagat Singh at his ancestral village, Khatkar Kalan, on the occasion of the 113th birth anniversary of the revolutionary leader, the Nawanshahr unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a dharna in the middle of the national highway in front of the memorial this morning.

The party workers questioned the denial of entry to the commoners on the occasion today in the name of security for Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. They also said various communist groups and youth organisations which wanted to attend the event had avoided programmes today as the state government had taken over the entire memorial site. The agitating AAP leaders were finally allowed in as their Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema came over and took them all along.

The usual patriotism remained partially missing today owing to the Covid spread and also due to the fact that the state government had covered the entire memorial site and put up tents all around the open spaces for the ministers, MPs and MLAs participated in a sit-in protest led by Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh against the farm laws brought out by the Centre.

Naujawan Bharat Sabha announces stir

Members of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha also announced a revolt against the BJP-led Centre on the occasion. Led by state president Rupinder Chaunda, the sabha announced to gherao BJP leaders at their residences demanding withdrawal of the new farm laws. They also called for boycotting the petrol pumps of the Reliance group, Jio phones and other businesses related to the corporate giants, allegedly being promoted by the Bharatiya Janata Party.