BJP Holds State-Level Protest in Amritsar, Demands CBI Probe into Officer's Suicide
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized a significant state-level protest in Amritsar on Saturday, rallying to demand justice for the family of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation. Randhawa tragically ended his life after allegedly facing severe torture from former transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Party Leaders Call for Thorough Investigation and Justice
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar emphasized that the protest was not merely a political program but a crucial fight for justice, asserting that the party would persist until the family receives proper redress. He highlighted the broader implications, stating, "What happened to Gagandeep Singh Randhawa can happen to anyone, which is why every Punjabi is part of this fight." Jakhar insisted that all accused individuals, including Bhullar, must face punishment without delay.
In his address, Jakhar drew parallels to another case of harassment involving a woman from Tarn Taran district, where an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA was acquitted through a compromise. He accused the government of attempting to handle Randhawa's case in a similar manner, alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself was "compromised" in the matter.
Broader Allegations Against State Government
Referring to a recent attack on the BJP headquarters in Chandigarh, Jakhar declared that such attempts would not deter the party's struggle. He outlined key objectives, including ensuring that "the killers of a capable officer do not escape, no innocent person is killed in fake encounters, and justice is delivered to the people of Punjab." Additionally, he questioned the CM's claims about job creation, asking how many youths have been forced into gangster networks under the AAP government's rule.
National secretary Tarun Chugh, speaking to the media, claimed that public anger was now visibly spilling onto the streets. He alleged a rapid increase in the influence of mafia and gangsters in Punjab, with criminals now operating openly and even uploading videos of their activities on social media. The speakers collectively asserted that this trend reflects a significant failure of the government, leading to a rise in extortion, robbery, and threats that have created an atmosphere of fear among citizens.
Protest Details and Traffic Disruption
The protest was held outside the Hall Gate in Amritsar and was attended by several senior BJP leaders and workers, including working president Ashwani Sharma, Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Tarun Chugh. However, the demonstration caused severe traffic congestion, crippling the city's traffic system for over two hours. Although scheduled for 11 am, police had sealed all roads leading to the Hall Gate an hour earlier, exacerbating disruptions during peak traffic hours and sparking frustration among commuters stuck in the jam.
While leaders criticized the state government from the stage, the traffic chaos highlighted the broader impact of such protests on daily life, with key parts of the city experiencing widespread disruption. This incident underscores the tension between political activism and public inconvenience in the ongoing struggle for justice in Punjab.
