Patiala, June 8
Thousands of people gathered in Patiala on Sunday to demand justice for Dimple Khatri, a Patiala resident who was allegedly murdered in Mohali on June 4. Protesters from the Jingar community organised a large demonstration, while several major markets in the city remained shut during the agitation.
Leaders from multiple political parties joined the protest and expressed anger over both the incident and recent remarks allegedly made by Punjab Women’s Commission Chairperson Raj Kaur Lali Gill regarding the victim.
Speaking to the media, BJP Mahila Morcha president Biba Jai Inder Kaur said the incident reflected the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Punjab. She stated that the government had failed to ensure women’s safety in the state.
“What happened to this daughter should never have happened. The government should be ashamed that it cannot ensure the safety of Punjab’s daughters,” she said.
She further demanded the resignation of Raj Kaur Lali Gill over her reported comments regarding the victim. According to Jai Inder Kaur, the language allegedly used by the Women’s Commission chairperson in television interviews was unacceptable.
“The government, in trying to hide its failures, has forgotten to respect the dignity of daughters. The words used for Dimple in media interviews will not be tolerated, and BJP Punjab strongly opposes them,” she added.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Amit Rathi also criticised the remarks made by the Women’s Commission chairperson, stating that such comments amounted to “killing the victim again”.
“The Shiromani Akali Dal stands shoulder to shoulder with the family. We will continue every possible effort to secure justice for the girl,” he said.
Congress leader and former ADGP of Punjab, Gurinder Singh Dhillon, said action should also be taken against the company that employed the victim, arguing that it had a responsibility to ensure the safety of its employee.
Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) leader Professor Prem Singh Chandumajra described the incident as condemnable and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
The protest also highlighted growing political outrage over statements allegedly made by Raj Kaur Lali Gill during a television interview, in which she reportedly claimed that the victim’s family had told her their daughter “was wrong”. The remarks triggered widespread criticism from opposition leaders and protesters alike.
