A Punjab-wide bandh called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha on Friday, August 21, witnessed protests in several parts of the state over the demand for the release of Sikh prisoners, commonly referred to by supporters as ‘Bandi Singhs’.
The shutdown was scheduled from 7 am to 2 pm and affected transport and normal activities in some areas. In Chandigarh, Morcha members stopped buses from operating as part of the bandh, while supporters staged a sit-in in Jalandhar and raised slogans demanding the prisoners’ release.
The bandh followed a tense confrontation between protesters and Chandigarh Police on August 15, when officers used tear gas and water cannons to stop demonstrators attempting to march towards the Punjab Governor’s residence. The Morcha has alleged excessive police action, while authorities have maintained security arrangements to prevent disruption and maintain law and order.
Protesters Demand Release
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has been campaigning for the release of Sikh prisoners who, according to the organisation, have completed their sentences or are otherwise eligible for release. The group has also raised the issue of parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence in connection with the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Protesters have argued that some Sikh prisoners have spent decades behind bars and that their cases should be reviewed on legal and humanitarian grounds.
The bandh received backing from several Sikh organisations and leaders. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) supported the shutdown and announced that its offices and institutions would remain closed. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the organisation had consistently supported efforts for the release of Bandi Singhs and alleged that the government was attempting to suppress voices campaigning for their release. He called on people to support what he described as a peaceful struggle.
Bandh Follows Chandigarh-Mohali Border Clash
The shutdown call came after tensions escalated at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on August 15. Hundreds of protesters associated with the Morcha attempted to move towards the Punjab Governor’s residence in Chandigarh. Police had erected barricades and deployed security personnel to prevent the march from entering the city. When some protesters attempted to remove the barricades, including with the help of a tractor, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse them.
Protesters alleged that the police response was excessive and claimed that more than a dozen activists were injured. They also alleged that a substance in the water used by the water cannons caused irritation, though this claim could not be independently verified. Police, meanwhile, used the security measures to prevent the protesters from breaching the barricades and advancing towards the Governor’s residence. Chandigarh Police had deployed significant forces around the Chandigarh-Mohali borders, with senior officers supervising the security arrangements.
The Morcha has been holding a prolonged protest near YPS Chowk at the Chandigarh-Mohali border since January 2023, keeping the issue of Sikh prisoners in the public discourse. Its latest bandh call has widened the protest beyond the border site, with transport and other public activities affected in some parts of Punjab. The organisers had appealed to social, religious and other organisations to support the shutdown, while authorities have focused on maintaining public safety and preventing any escalation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The demand for justice and a fair review of long-pending prisoner cases deserves space for democratic expression, but protests must remain peaceful and respect the rights and safety of ordinary citizens. At the same time, authorities have a responsibility to respond to legitimate grievances through transparent legal processes and meaningful dialogue rather than allowing tensions to deepen.
Prisoners’ cases should ultimately be assessed individually, according to the law, court orders and applicable rules, without discrimination. Punjab has a long and complex history of political and social tensions, making restraint, empathy and communication especially important. Can sustained dialogue between the government, legal authorities and Sikh organisations help address these long-standing concerns without disrupting everyday life or deepening divisions?
STORY | Markets shut, traffic hit at several places as Punjab Bandh draws strong response
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 21, 2026
Shops and markets remained shut while traffic movement was hit on the highways at many places in the state on Friday in the wake of a 'Punjab Bandh' call given by the Qaumi Insaf Morcha to… pic.twitter.com/NDqJeWkgDr
