Patiala, May 2
Members of the Waris Punjab De party staged protests across Punjab on Saturday against remarks by senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa regarding the removal of the National Security Act against MP Amritpal Singh, with demonstrations reported from several districts, including Patiala.
The protests were triggered after Randhawa reportedly linked the removal of the National Security Act provisions from Amritpal Singh with recent incidents of violence in the state. Party workers took to the streets, raising slogans and burning effigies of the Congress leader in multiple locations.
In Patiala, leaders of the Waris Punjab De party gathered to express their opposition, accusing Randhawa of making irresponsible and politically motivated statements. Addressing the media, a party leader said the remarks were an attempt to malign Amritpal Singh and mislead the public.
The leaders also alleged that certain political parties were uncomfortable with the growing influence of panthic voices in Punjab. They claimed that Amritpal Singh had earlier been detained under stringent laws as part of efforts to curb such movements.
“Such statements reflect the mindset of those who do not want to see independent voices emerge in Punjab,” a party representative said during the protest.
The party leaders further asserted that Amritpal Singh has no connection with any incident that could disturb law and order in the state and rejected any attempts to link him with acts of violence.
The protests underscore rising political tensions in Punjab, with parties trading allegations over security and governance. Waris Punjab De leaders maintained that communal harmony in the state remains strong and warned against any attempts to disrupt unity among different communities.
