Several women leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were detained by the Punjab Police on Wednesday as they attempted to march towards the residence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh. The leaders were protesting against the state government's handling of women's safety issues and rising inflation.
Details of the Incident
The protest, organized by the BJP Mahila Morcha, saw a large number of women activists gathering at the party's state office before heading towards the CM's house. They were stopped by police at a barricade near the Punjab Civil Secretariat, where they were detained and taken to a nearby police station.
According to BJP leaders, the police used force to disperse the protesters, but no injuries were reported. The women leaders were later released after several hours of detention.
Reactions from Political Leaders
BJP state president Sunil Jakhar condemned the detention, calling it an attack on democratic rights. He stated that the party would take legal action against the police for what he termed as 'unlawful detention'. On the other hand, Punjab Congress leaders also criticized the government, accusing it of suppressing dissent.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office has not yet commented on the incident. However, a senior police official said that the detention was carried out to maintain law and order, as the protesters did not have permission to march to the CM's residence.
Background of the Protest
The BJP women's wing had been planning the protest for several days, demanding better implementation of schemes for women's safety and a reduction in prices of essential commodities. They also criticized the AAP government for failing to fulfill its election promises.
This is not the first time that BJP leaders have been detained while protesting against the state government. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, highlighting the ongoing political tension in Punjab.
