In Punjab, Govt First Asks To Remove All Khalistani Posters From Buses, Later Changes Statement
The state-owned buses in Punjab have triggered a new controversy after many buses were seen covered with posters of killed Khalistani extremist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and others.
The state-owned buses in Punjab have triggered a new controversy after many buses were seen covered with posters of killed Khalistani extremist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and others.
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Many buses being run by the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), carried slogans and posters of Bhindranwale and others. Photos and videos from the buses, openly portraying jailed terrorists as heroes, are viral on social media.
Remove controversial posters
Following the complaint, the PRTC¡¯s Executive Engineer-cum-Nodal officer on July 6 ordered the removal of the controversial posters, calling Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Avtar Singh Hawara 'terrorists', India Today reported.
India Today
¡°I came to know from the social media that PRTC buses are carrying objectionable photos of terrorists Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Jagtar Singh Hawara. These photos can disturb the peace. Hence, it is being hereby ordered to remove these photos,¡± reads the order addressed to Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Budhlada, Bathinda, Faridkot, Kapurthala, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana depots.
The order was met with a sharp reaction from hardline Sikh groups who launched protests in Patiala and Jalandhar, demanding the removal of the prohibitory orders.
PRTC remove orders
In a surprise turn of events, the PRTC officer on July 11 withdrew the earlier orders and said, ¡°The orders have hurt the religious sentiments of some religious organizations. Hence, the previous orders are being hereby withdrawn.¡±
Pepsu Road Transport Corportation (PRTC) has withdrawn its earlier order to remove the pictures of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Jagtar Singh Hawara from government buses.#Punjab #PRTC https://t.co/CdUnhCFwb3 pic.twitter.com/dmXYePvreQ
¡ª #?????????? ?? (@gayatrigkhurana) July 12, 2022
All is not well with AAP, BJP
With the state government being criticized over the issue, the AAP clarified that the controversy created by the PRTC authorities has nothing to do with the orders issued by the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) on June 28.
India Today
AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang said that the PRTC controversy has nothing to do with the ADGP¡¯s orders which have not been revoked. Slamming the BJP, Kang denied the allegations and accused the BJP of dividing society.
S. Simranjit Singh Mann (MP Sangrur) addressed media on various issues.
¡ª Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) (@AkaliDal_A) July 12, 2022
Mr. Mann said Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale¡¯s pictures can¡¯t be removed from Public transport.
CM¡¯s statement on Chandigarh issue is condemnable. pic.twitter.com/b0UlzCdpol
The display of photos and banners of former Sikh terrorists and Khalistani groups is not limited to the state-owned buses. It was reported that pro-Khalistan graffiti being scrawled on the walls of government buildings, including the courts, parks, railway and Hindu temples since AAP came to power.
Pertinently, the AAP government is the target of the opposition BJP, which has linked the display of photos and banners of extremists on state buses and Khalistani slogans on the walls to AAP¡¯s past.
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¡°Khalistan Zindabad slogans have been scrawled on the walls of the offices of the Deputy Commissioner and police officers and temples. This is nothing new. Some AAP leaders call terrorists ¡®belligerent Sikhs¡¯. AAP is playing a dangerous game in Punjab,¡± BJP leader Vineet Joshi told India Today TV.
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