Thousands of Sikhs challenge Hindu terrorist groups at Beas bridge

BEAS, Punjab : Giving impression of unity against anti-panthik forces, thousands of Sikhs assembled on the Beas river bridge on GT road on Wednesday, May 25, to challenge various Hindu terrorist groups including Shiv Sena who had announced to take out a “Lalkar Rally” to Amritsar. This past week, the Shiv Sena, Hindu Surakhia Samiti, Hindu Students Federation and other right-wing organizations had announced to carry out a rally against Khalistani groups in Punjab.  Shiv Sena leader Nishant Sharma, along with other leaders had made provocative statements, challenging Sikhs for a confrontation in Beas.  Video of Nishant Sharma has been circulating on social media; however, no one from these groups dared to confront with Sikhs who were led by Akal Takht Sahib acting Jathedar Bhai Dhian Singh Mand and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala.
Other prominent Sikh leaders who participated the gathering included Dr. Gurjinder Singh (Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwala), Bhai Bagicha Singh Rattakhera, Bhai Surinder Singh Thikriwala, SAD (A) leader Jaskaran Singh Kahan Singh wala, Satnam Singh Manawa, Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal and Bhai Balbir Singh Muchhal from the Guru Granth Sahib Sarkar committee. Amid heavy security arrangements made by the Police of Amritsar and Kapurthala, the Sikhs started gathering on the bridge since Tuesday night in view of Police restrictions.  Several buses arrived here from different parts of Punjab, full of Sikh activists.  While the right-wing Hindu organizations failed to stand up to their own challenge, Sikh groups gave their gathering the name of “Anakh Rally”.  Sikh groups also shouted pro-freedom slogans as well as slogans against the Shiv Sena and Badal government. Speaking with Sikh24, Jathedar Mand said, “the Hindu extremist groups like Shiv Sena want to disturb peaceful atmosphere of Punjab by carrying out provocative activities which will not be tolerated at any cost by Sikhs.  The SAD-BJP government is behind these communal elements, and their intention is to challange our peace and calm.” The Sikh leaders also sent a memorandum to Punjab governor Kaptan Singh Solanki demanding that any step which disturbs the peaceful environment should be stopped and those behind the conspiracy should be arrested.  The Police of Amritsar (rural) and Kapurthala made unprecedented security arrangements on both sides of the key bridge to prevent any toward incident. More than 8000 Sikhs attended the rally.  On the other hand, Hindu fanatics were seen nowhere despite boasting to teach lesson to Sikhs.