JAGRAON, Punjab (February 28, 2015)—The “Vangar March” that took off from Jagraon was stopped by the Punjab Police. The march was supposed to end at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, however it was disrupted halfway. Over 250 attendees were present to take off the march, and many more were planning to join it en-route to Ludhiana.
Jaspal Singh Hera With Supporters
The march was called by S. Jaspal Singh Hera, editor in chief of Daily Pehredar. A number of Sikh organization also gave a call asking Sikh Sangat to take part. S. Hera was also arrested, along with other Sikhs who were peacefully demonstrating against the wrongful confinement of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa.
Most of the Sikhs who were arrested during the afternoon were released later during the evening. These protesters however did not give up their wish to march to Ludhiana in favour of Bapu Surat Singh. They were seen late evening carrying Nishan Sahibs and raising slogans in favor of release of Sikh political prisoners. They also lashed out on Parkash Badal for his anti-Sikh activities towards the Sikhs.
During a speech before his arrest, Jaspal Singh Hera asked Sikh Sangat to support Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s movement with full strength. “We need to make sure that this struggle does not end up like previous campaigns for the release of Sikh prisoners. Bapu Surat Singh is in his 43rd day of hunger strike and he is still firm on his demands and is ready to be martyred for the cause,” he stated.
“The marchers who have gathered here are not criminals or thugs, then why are we being stopped? He have all rights to raise our voice but that right is now being taken away from us,” he added.