Hoshiarpur: Garhshankar observed a complete shutdown today in protest against the lathi-charge on sanitation workers in Barnala. During this time, the Congress, Youth Congress, All India Jatt Mahasabha, Brahmin Sabha Garhshankar, and other organizations held a protest march in the town to support the sanitation workers, raising slogans vehemently against the Punjab government and the DSP responsible for the lathi-charge.
Former Congress MLA Lav Kumar Goldy stated that by lathi-charging sanitation workers, the Punjab government has demonstrated that it is anti-people across all sections of society and is attempting to suppress the voice of the public. He asserted that they would not tolerate this and would stand firmly with the sanitation workers. He noted that today, every section of society in Punjab is forced to take to the streets to fight for their demands. He recalled how Aam Aadmi Party leaders, before coming to power, used to say that people would not need to stage protests once their government was formed; yet, after assuming power, they are having every section of society beaten by the police.
Prominent figures present included Ajaib Singh Boparai (General Secretary In-charge, All India Jatt Mahasabha, Punjab), Bindu Bhumblan (District Vice President, Congress), Kulwinder Singh Bittu (Senior Congress Leader), Thekedar Kulbhushan Shori (President, Brahmin Sabha Garhshankar), Pawan Sharma (Senior Vice President), Mandeep Singh Moila (Former President, Youth Congress Garhshankar Assembly Constituency), Jashandeep Singh Jashan (President, Youth Congress Garhshankar Assembly Constituency), and Amrik Singh Ladi (President, Block Garhshankar). They stated that the Aam Aadmi Party government has resorted to hooliganism.
They condemned the lathi-charge on sanitation workers, specifically pointing out that a DSP was seen striking women directly on their heads with batons. They argued that merely suspending him was insufficient; he should have been immediately dismissed from service, and a criminal case should have been registered against him. However, the mere act of suspension suggests that the DSP likely enjoys the backing of CM Mann. They affirmed their solidarity with the sanitation workers in every struggle. They noted that while the BJP-led central government is beating people, the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab has given the police a free hand to assault citizens from all walks of life.
Following the protest march, the group gathered at the Garhshankar Municipal Council to discuss intensifying the agitation regarding the lathi-charge incident in Barnala and to address issues specific to the Garhshankar sanitation workers. They assured the workers of their full support, pledging to stand at the forefront of any future struggles.
Attendees at the protest march included Kirna Kumari, Raj Kumar Raju, and Ram Murti Bangnia from the Garhshankar Sweeper Union; Chetan Aeri, General Secretary of the Youth Congress (Garhshankar Assembly constituency); Dalvinder Singh Dhillon, District Vice-President (Hoshiarpur) of the All India Jat Mahasabha; Harvinder Singh, Block President (Mahilpur); Manoj Bedi; former Sarpanch Balvinder Singh Megowal; Dinesh Kumar; Deepak Kumar; Mukesh Kumar; Banka Pandit; Sanjeev Kumar Pandit; and Shashi Bhushan, among others.