Villagers accused the local panchayat of selectively targeting a Valmiki temple, claiming that several religious structures exist on panchayat land, yet only theirs is facing action. Joginder S Mann, Chairman of Adivasi Gian Nath Puran Sangharsh Dal, led the protest, alleging discrimination and bias in the panchayat’s decisions.
“The panchayat and police are unfairly singling out the Dalit community, constantly harassing them over different issues,” alleged the protestors.
Residents of Jalalpur village (Lohian) also joined the demonstration, raising concerns over sacrilege of their religious scriptures. They revealed that 60 pages of their granth were found torn, leading to a police complaint and an FIR against unidentified individuals.
The protest caused major traffic disruptions, forcing commuters to take alternative routes. Travelers coming from Rama Mandi towards Jalandhar were diverted through Jalandhar Cantonment instead of the highway. However, those traveling from Phagwara to Amritsar remained unaffected since the flyover was open, while the road beneath it was blocked.
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