Jalandhar-Ludhiana Highway Blocked Over Ambedkar Statue Vandalism

The Dalit community on Tuesday staged a massive protest by blocking the Jalandhar bypass in Ludhiana, condemning the vandalism of Dr. BR Ambedkar's statue in Amritsar.

A large number of protesters gathered on the Jalandhar-Ludhiana national highway, leading to severe traffic disruptions. The demonstration was a response to a bandh call issued by Dalit leaders the previous day.

The bandh's impact was visible in several key markets of Ludhiana. Prominent commercial areas such as Chaura Bazaar, Bhadaur House, Railway Road, Mata Rani Chowk, and Clock Tower remained closed in solidarity with the protest.

As a result of the protest, many commuters were left stranded on the national highway, with long queues of vehicles forming due to the roadblock.

In Jalandhar, the bandh was widely observed, with most markets, private offices, and educational institutions remaining closed. Protesters, led by Ravidassia and Valmiki community leaders, blocked major intersections, including Rama Mandi, Nakodar Chowk, and Pathankot Chowk.

The District Bar Association also announced a 'no work day' to support the bandh, although government schools and offices continued to function normally.

Congress MLA from Adampur, Sukhwinder Kotli, visited Amritsar to inspect the site where the Ambedkar statue was vandalized, expressing his solidarity with the community. BJP leaders, including former MP Sushil Rinku and former MLA KD Bhandari, held a silent protest at Ambedkar Chowk to condemn the act of vandalism.