Punjab Bandh on August 21: Punjab is bracing for a bandh on Friday, August 21, after the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha called for a statewide shutdown over police action against its supporters, FIRs registered against its members and the continued imprisonment of Sikh prisoners who, according to the protesting organisations, have completed their sentences.
The bandh is expected to affect roads, transport and commercial activity between 7 am and 2 pm. However, the Punjab government has made it clear that government schools across the state will remain open.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains confirmed that government schools would function as usual on Friday when he was asked about the bandh call. The decision comes as several private schools and colleges, particularly in Chandigarh and Mohali, have decided to remain closed amid concerns over the possible disruption.
The contrasting decisions by government and private educational institutions have added another layer to the preparations for Friday’s bandh, with authorities also increasing security arrangements in areas where protests or road blockades are expected.
Traffic and Transport Likely to Be Affected
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has announced that businesses, transport services, roads and railway services will remain suspended during the bandh period from 7 am to 2 pm. Protesters are also expected to organise dharnas, sit-ins and demonstrations at different locations.
Gurcharan Singh, foster father of Babbar Khalsa International chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, said the bandh would seek participation from people across communities. He appealed to the public to support the demand for the release of Sikh prisoners who, according to the organisers, have remained in jail despite completing their sentences.
The planned disruption is likely to have a direct impact on commuters, public transport and people travelling between major cities and towns. Farmer organisations have also indicated that highways and important roads could be blocked during the protest.
At the same time, organisers have said that essential services will not be targeted. Health services, hospitals, medical staff, ambulances, Army and security personnel are expected to remain exempt from the shutdown.
People travelling for weddings and bhog ceremonies, along with foreign travellers, are also expected to be allowed to move, according to the organisers.
Why Qaumi Insaaf Morcha Called the Bandh
The bandh is linked to a wider campaign led by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha for the release of Sikh prisoners, commonly referred to as Bandi Singhs.
The organisation has been demanding the release of prisoners who have completed their statutory sentences but continue to remain incarcerated. It has also raised demands related to parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara and sought justice in cases involving sacrilege and police firing.
The latest escalation followed the Morcha’s attempt to march towards the Punjab Governor’s House on August 15. Police stopped the march using barricades, water cannons and tear gas. The confrontation was followed by the registration of multiple FIRs by the Chandigarh Police against leaders and supporters associated with the protest.
The Morcha has now sought to turn Friday’s bandh into a wider show of support for its demands.
Its protest campaign has been continuing for more than three years. The sit-in at YPS Chowk on the Chandigarh-Mohali border began on January 7, 2023, primarily focusing on the release of Sikh prisoners who, according to the protesters, have completed their sentences.
Political and Farmer Organisations Back the Protest
The August 21 bandh has received support from several prominent Sikh, farmer and political organisations.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Shiromani Akali Dal Punar-Surjit and Akali Dal Waris Punjab De have extended their support to the call.
In a joint statement, Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Gurpratap Singh Wadala, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Prem Singh Chandumajra and Youth Wing president Gurjit Singh Talwandi said their organisation would stand with the people participating in the bandh.
They argued that the governments must act on the demand for the release of prisoners who have completed their sentences but remain behind bars.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha convener Sarwan Singh Pandher also backed the bandh. Pandher accused the government of using force and registering cases against people who were raising their voice for the release of the Bandi Singhs.
The support from farmer organisations is significant because their networks have played a major role in organising large-scale road and highway protests in Punjab in the past.
Political Leaders Raise Questions Over Prisoners
The bandh has also drawn support from leaders who have questioned the continued detention of Sikh prisoners.
Manpreet Singh Ayali of Waris Punjab De said his organisation would support the call, arguing that the demand for the release of the prisoners was justified.
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal also supported the bandh and questioned the continued imprisonment of Balwant Singh Rajoana.
Grewal said the central government had delayed a decision for too long and argued that the authorities should either decide against releasing Rajoana or take steps towards his release.
The statements reflect the political pressure building around the issue as Sikh organisations and farmer groups prepare to participate in Friday’s shutdown.
Schools and Colleges Take Different Decisions
While the Punjab government has confirmed that government schools will remain open, the situation varies among private educational institutions.
In Chandigarh and Mohali, a majority of private schools have reportedly decided to close on Friday because of concerns over the bandh and possible traffic disruptions.
Schools and colleges in Amritsar and Patiala are also expected to remain closed. In Patiala, several private schools have declared a holiday, while a number of private colleges have also asked students and staff to stay away from campuses.
The different decisions have created uncertainty for parents, students and commuters, particularly in areas where road blockades or demonstrations are expected.
Police Increase Security Ahead of Bandh
With the possibility of protests on highways, roads and near important public locations, police have increased their deployment across sensitive areas.
Authorities are expected to monitor traffic movement and maintain access for emergency and essential services. The emphasis will be on preventing clashes while ensuring that protesters are able to demonstrate within the limits set by law.
The August 15 confrontation between protesters and police has added to concerns about Friday’s situation. The use of tear gas, water cannons and barricades during the earlier march had already triggered criticism from organisations supporting the Morcha.
For commuters, the main concern is likely to be the disruption between 7 am and 2 pm, when protesters have announced the main period of the bandh.
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Read More →A Protest That Has Continued Since 2023
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha’s campaign is not a new development. Its sit-in at YPS Chowk began in January 2023 and has continued as a long-running protest over the release of Sikh prisoners.
The issue of Bandi Singhs has remained politically and emotionally sensitive in Punjab, particularly among Sikh organisations that argue that prisoners who have completed their sentences should not continue to remain incarcerated.
The Morcha has used its prolonged sit-in, public demonstrations and political mobilisation to keep the issue in the public spotlight.
Friday’s bandh represents another escalation in that campaign, with the organisers seeking to demonstrate that the demand has support beyond the protest site.
As Punjab prepares for August 21, the immediate challenge for the administration will be to maintain normal movement and essential services while managing demonstrations across the state. For residents, the bandh is expected to mean disrupted traffic and transport during the morning and afternoon hours, even as government schools continue to operate.
The response of authorities, the scale of participation and the extent of road and transport disruptions will determine how widely Friday’s shutdown affects daily life across Punjab.