‘MSG-2’ fallout: Dera followers intensify protests

[Jaswinder Singh Baidwan]

Despite bad weather, thousands of Dera Sacha Sauda followers blocked rail and road traffic at various places in Malwa for the second consecutive today. They demanded that the film, ‘MSG-2’, featuring dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, be screened in multiplexes and cinemas. Life was hit in many districts as various trains in the Ferozepur railway division were cancelled. At least 12 passenger and four goods trains were cancelled. Hundreds of dera supporters blocked the railway line on Bughipura bypass in Moga and Ferozepur-Fazilka railway line in Ferozepur.
Protesters also blocked all the highways of Moga city. Sources said protests continued in Ferozepur and Gidderbaha towns. A majority of the long-route buses did not ply on national highways in Ferozepur, Moga and Muktsar districts.
A few buses were plying on link roads under tight security arrangements. The AC buses of Orbit Aviations Private Limited and Dabwali Transport Company owned by the Badal family weren’t seen plying in the district.
Dera supporters claimed though ‘MSG-2’ had not been banned in the state, the police weren’t letting multiplex and cinema house owners screen the film, thinking it may disturb the law and order.
A multiplex owner said they did not screen the film, fearing a backlash from Sikh protesters as the dera head had been at loggerheads with radical Sikhs. Many Sikhs have alleged the dera head had hurt their religious sentiments.
A 45-member committee constituted by the Dera Sacha Sauda to hold protests declared they would not lift their blockade unless ‘MSG-2’ was screened in theatres.
Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported in Moga, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar and Bathinda districts till the filing of this news report.
Patiala: Dera Sacha Sauda followers blocked the Patiala-Sangrur road around 11.30 am today. They said they would not lift the blockade until dera head’s film was screened. The dharna inconvenienced many commuters in the region. All vehicular traffic was diverted to Nabha.

 

[Jaswinder Singh Baidwan]

Dera protest derails traffic in Punjab

Demanding the screening of MSG-2, Dera Sacha Sauda followers continued their protest for the second day today. They blocked traffic on at least five prominent roads, besides disrupting 30 trains in the Malwa region.
The film, featuring dera chief Gurmit Ram Rahim, has already been cleared by the censor board. The agitation would continue till the government allowed screening of the film, said dera follower Harinder Sharma.
The state Home Department, however, said there was no ban on the film. “It (the non-screening of the film) may be because of differences between film producers and cinema owners,” a senior officer said.
The trains cancelled due to dera followers’ agitation included 14629 (mail/express train from Ludhiana to Ferozepur), 14614, 14630 (Ferozepur to Ludhiana), 74961, 54051, 74963, 54571, 54645 (passenger trains from Ludhiana to Ferozepur), 54646, 74962, 54572, 54052, 74964 (passenger trains from Ferozepur to Ludhiana), 54561 (Bathinda-Ferozepur passenger train), 74987 (Bathinda-Fazilka passenger train), 54563 (Bathinda-Ferozepur passenger train), 54783 (Ferozepur-Rewari passenger train), 54054 (Ludhiana-Jakhal passenger train), 54046 (Ferozepur-Delhi passenger train), 74988 (Fazilka-Bathinda passenger train), 14602 (Sri Ganganagar-Ferozepur Cantt Express), 14602 (Ferozepur-Sriganganagar), 14732 (Fazilka-Delhi Intercity Express), 54785, 74971, 74973, 74975, 94977 (passenger trains from Ferozepurt to Fazilka) and 74972, 74974, 74976, 74978, 54786 (passenger trains from Fazilka to Ferozepur).
A number of trains were diverted due to the agitation. The Delhi-Ludhiana Shatabdi Express, which was to reach the Sangrur railway station at 11 am, was diverted via Panipat and Ambala.

 

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Beebia badia bhagtna babe diya

 

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Punjabi cha dasso ki masla aa. Angreji wala hath tight aa.

 

[Jaswinder Singh Baidwan]

Dera Sacha Sauda followers today lifted their ongoing dharnas across the region after getting an assurance from Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. The rail route was opened for over 60 trains and the 48-hour blockade from at least five major roads in Malwa was lifted.
The SSPs concerned met the protesters on Sunday and assured the dera followers that the film would be screened “within a couple of days”. The police were given a copy of the dera memorandum. A delegation of the dera followers is reported to have met the Deputy CM.
Around 12.40 am, the police headquarters directed all the SSPs to talk to dera activists and assure them that the film would be screened in theatres from Tuesday onwards. Intelligence agencies reported around 1 am that dera followers ended their dharnas and started going back to their homes. In Moga, the protests were wound up around 1.15 am.
Dera followers have been seeking the screening of “MSG-2” featuring dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim that has been cleared by the Censor Board.
The film was not shown in any of the theatres or multiplexes all over the region today as well. Harinder Sharma, a member of the 45-member committee of the dera, confirmed they met the Deputy CM. “We have been assured that all issues regarding the film screening will be cleared within three-four days,” he said. Mohan Lal, manager of the local Pukhraj Theatre, said, “We only need an assurance from the administration that it is safe to run the film.”
Meanwhile, the Bathinda unit of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has registered a case against Gurdev Singh, Gurmail Singh, Kewal Brar, Chhinderpal Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Bhola Singh and 1,500-2,000 unknown persons under Sections 145, 146, 147 and 174 (obstructing a train) of the Railway Act.
In Sangrur, over 200 people entered Fun Square Theatre, demanding “MSG-2” be shown. The police arrived at the scene and told them that the film could not be screened.
In Abohar, Punjab Roadways buses did not leave the bus stand for Fazilka and Ferozepur as there was some confusion over the protest. Hundreds of daily passengers were stranded till 7.15 am. Private buses started plying on the Abohar-Fazilka route as per the time table.