Chandigarh, 08 April (H.S.):

More than 500 activists of the Students Organisation of India (SOI), the student wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, were detained on Wednesday while marching towards the residence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to protest against his alleged remarks targeting the organization.

The protest began from Sector 11, with SOI members marching towards the Chief Minister’s residence. However, police personnel had set up barricades en route and stopped the protesters. The activists were subsequently rounded up and taken into custody, and later shifted to Sector 3 police station.

During the protest, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal addressed the activists via video call and appreciated their efforts to hold the Chief Minister accountable over what he termed as defamatory remarks against the student body.

Speaking to the media, SOI president Ranbir Singh Rana strongly criticized the Chief Minister, alleging that he had lowered the level of political discourse by attempting to portray educated youth as drug addicts. He further said that the Chief Minister should introspect before making such statements.

Rana asserted that the organization would continue its agitation until the Chief Minister issues a public apology for his remarks. The protest highlights rising political tensions between the ruling government and opposition backed student groups in the state.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH