Sikh hardliners assemble to counter right-wing Hindu groups' rally

Hardline Sikh activists from different organisations on Tuesday converged at Beas bridge on GT road to counter 'Lalkar Rally' announced by various Hindu outfits, even as the rally got cancelled by the latter faction.

This comes days after a possible face-off over a poster war between hardliners of the two communities was averted in Phagwara. Sikh activists assembled at Beas bridge, nearly 40 km from here, at the call of various Sikh hardliners to thwart the members of Hindu outfits from moving towards Amritsar. However, the Hindu organisations called off the rally. There was heavy deployment of police to avert any clash, police said.

'Sarbat Khalsa' (Congregation of Sikhs) appointed Jathedar Dhian Singh Mand and Amrik Singh Ajnala to lead the group.

Tension brewed on social media after the Phagwara case, with a few radical Sikh organisations and right-wing Hindu organisations targeting each other. Plans for a lalkar (challenge) rally from Chandigarh to Amritsar were announced by Hindu Suraksha Samiti and All India Hindu Students Federation.

However, the Hindu outfits cancelled it later without giving any reason.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, police rounded up a few members of two Hindu outfits who were supposed to take part in the 'Lalkar Rally' today.