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One killed in protest against Ashutosh Maharaj's visit in Ludhiana | One man was killed and twelve others were injured, when the police opened fire at the members of the protesting Sikh organisations. The protestors were pelting
stones at the police. The members of several Sikh outfits took to the streets
here today, protesting against the arrival of a controversial religious leader
Ashutosh Maharaj, who has not found favour with the Sikh groups for allegedly
preaching against their religion. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel
also stepped in to provide heavy security amidst the ongoing protests. Several
activists from the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, an ally of the ruling
Akali Dal in the state, also congregated outside the venue. "This public discourse
which is being held in Ludhiana city for two days by Ashutosh Maharaj will be
held in a proper manner. No body can create any obstruction in it. If they (Sikh
protestors) come here, the Hindu youngsters have gathered here to take care of
that. Punjab police and a CRPF battalion have also reached here," said Sanjay
Kapoor, President, youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Party. The police officials had
to open fire and throw tear gas to disperse the protestors, who had almost reached
close to the spot where Ashutosh Maharaj had started addressing the conference.
Many protestors got injured in the ensuing violence. Radical group leaders like
Bhai Mohkam Singh, Convenor of Khalsa Action Committee, Kanwarpal Singh Bittu
of Dal Khalsa, Baljit Singh Daduwal, Ranjit Singh and Jasbir Singh Rode were also
among those who led the procession. Tomorrow's conference has been called off
due to the ongoing protests. Swami Ashutosh Maharaj heads an organisation named
Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan (DJSS). The reports claim Ashutosh Maharaj of promoting
Hinduism and being backed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya
Swayamsevak
Sangh (RSS). Swami Ashutosh Maharaj is not in the good books of the Sikhs since
1980s, when he allegedly spoke against the religious text of the Sikhs, Guru Granth
Sahib. The Sikh organisations have made up their minds asserting that they would
not allow the meeting to take place.
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