Mohali:- The Youth Congress organized the "Lalkaar March" in Mohali, a strong protest against the BJP-led central government's alleged "usurpation of power" in Punjab. The rally was motivated by allegations of vote theft (election rigging). The protesters' primary objective was to oppose the central government's alleged conspiracy to bring Chandigarh under Article 239 (or 240) of the Constitution and undermine the autonomy of Punjab University. 
Thousands of Youth Congress workers from across Punjab gathered in Mohali. The march was led by Indian Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib, Punjab State President Mohit Mohindra, Punjab Incharge Dr. Smriti Ranjan, and Mohali District President Shubham Sekhon. 
Addressing the massive crowd, Shubham Sekhon made serious allegations against the BJP of "snatching away Punjab's sovereignty and subverting the state's power." He warned that the central government was trying to create divisions between Punjab and Haryana again – the same tactic used during the farmers' protest to break unity and create divisions.
 To drive home the message, protesters were attempting to advance towards Chandigarh to march to the Governor's House. Police had erected heavy barricades, but the sheer number of protesters was unable to contain them. The protesters broke through the barricades, prompting police to resort to lathicharge and other crowd control measures. Several protesters were detained and sent to nearby police stations. 
Shubh Sekhon said, "The BJP is trying to suppress our democratic right to protest and speak. The police are brutally lathi-charging." Punjab State President Mohit Mohindra said, "Chandigarh and Panjab University are not just institutions – they symbolize the identity and soul of Punjab. The central government's actions are a direct attack on the dignity and self-respect of our state." 
National President Uday Bhanu Chib said, "The BJP is playing with the public's trust and manipulating votes. We will not let them succeed." Punjab in-charge Dr. Smriti Ranjan warned, "Punjab will never bow down. We stand with the farmers and will fight to the last breath against every injustice perpetrated by the central government." 
The protests come against the backdrop of rising tensions over the administrative situation in Chandigarh, the central government's increasing interference in the administration of Panjab University, and allegations of alleged vote-stealing in the recent local body elections. The Youth Congress has resolved that this fight will continue until all their demands are met.