Fatehgarh Sahib (May 14, 2010): Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann was briefly detained along with 60 of his supporters here today.
Mann, a former MP, had gone to Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib to pay obeisance along with his supporters. Afterwards, they tried to enter the venue of a state-level function to commemorate the tercentenary of ‘Sirhind-Fateh Diwas’ and establishment of the first ‘Khalsa Raj’ by 18th century Sikh warrior Banda Singh Bahadur.
Police officers present there forcefully stopped Sirdar Mann and his supporters from entering the venue, but when they insisted on participating in the function, they were taken to the police station in two separate vehicles.
Some workers of Mann’s party tried to protest but could not succeed in stopping the vehicles.
It is notable that Sikhs in considerable numbers protested against the address of BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, and raised slogans against BJP, RSS and hindutva forces. Sikh supporters and activists also raised slogans of Khalistan Zindabad.