Punjab groups protest political use of Pahalgam incident against Kashmiri minorities and Muslims

By Harsh Thakor*   

On May 8th in Barnala, Punjab, Lok Morcha Punjab and Inquilabi Kendra Punjab organized a gathering and protest opposing the use of the Pahalgam incident by the Modi government for political ends.  Protesters voiced opposition through slogans such as "Stop the war waged in the name of revenge" and "Stop using the Pahalgam incident for political motives."  

Jagmail Singh, State Secretary of Lok Morcha Punjab, stated that despite communal harmony being maintained across communities in response to the Pahalgam incident, it is being used to foster divisions and mobilize sentiment against Muslim and Kashmiri minorities. He argued that such mobilization prevents unity and hinders opposition to government policies.  

Mukhtiar Singh Poohla, leader of Inquilabi Kendra Punjab, discussed economic policies affecting the country, presenting data on imperialist agreements and treaties that he claimed were obscured by the focus on the war. He called for opposition to war rhetoric and for unity against external economic influence.  

Sheerin, leader of Lok Morcha Punjab, addressed the Kashmir issue in relation to the incident, advocating self-determination and unity among various groups against exploitation.  

Kanwaljit Khanna, State Secretary of Inquilabi Kendra Punjab, criticized Operation Kagar for its handling of tribal areas and suppression of dissent. He condemned policies that allow foreign access to national resources and criticized the approach of the Bhagwant Mann government toward struggling communities.  

The gathering passed resolutions against actions taken by the Indian government in Bastar and Operation Kagar, restrictions on protests in Punjab, political use of water disputes, and the war policies of the Modi government.  

Participants included farmers, laborers, employees, pensioners, contract workers, and members of rationalist and democratic groups. The event featured performances of songs and poems. The organizations announced plans to continue their campaign for a month and to support a gathering in Sangrur on May 22 against government actions affecting tribal communities.  

The event was conducted by Lok Morcha Punjab leader Sukhwinder Singh Bathinda.  

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*Freelance journalist