Massive “Lalkar March” Protest in Chandigarh; IYC National President Uday Bhanu Ji, Punjab Youth Congress Leaders Detained

Massive “Lalkar March” Protest in Chandigarh; IYC National President Uday Bhanu Ji, Punjab Youth Congress Leaders Detained

Chandigarh 26 November ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : A major political confrontation unfolded in Chandigarh today as the Punjab Youth Congress carried out its scheduled “Lalkar March” at 11:00 AM, protesting against the alleged vote theft, the controversial UT Bill, and what they describe as the anti-Punjab policies of the Central Government. The march, which began from Near Hotel Cama, Phase 3A, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and moved towards Raj Bhawan, was led by: • Dr. Smurti Ranjan Lenka Ji (Incharge, Punjab Youth Congress) • Shri Mohit Mohindra Ji (President, Punjab Youth Congress) • Shri Uday Bhanu Ji (National President, Indian Youth Congress) The protest saw a massive turnout of youth, students, and party workers. However, as the march intensified, Chandigarh Police detained IYC National President Uday Bhanu Ji, Mohit Mohindra Ji, Dr. Smurti Ranjan Lenka Ji, and several Youth Congress workers. Strong Condemnation From Leadership Uday Bhanu, moments before being detained, strongly condemned the actions of the Central Government, saying: “The UT Bill is an assault on the federal structure of India and a direct attack on Punjab’s constitutional rights over Chandigarh. The youth of India will not sit silently while democracy is being strangled. If raising our voice leads to arrests, we are ready for a thousand arrests.” He further added: “Vote theft is not just election fraud—it is treason against the people. This fight is for the soul of our democracy.” Dr. Smurti Ranjan Lenka, leading from the front, stated: “Today’s protest shows that the youth of Punjab cannot be intimidated. We were marching peacefully, yet our leaders were detained. This proves that the government fears our unity and our voice. The UT Bill, vote manipulation, and ignoring Punjab during the floods—this injustice will not be tolerated.” Mohit Mohindra, President Punjab Youth Congress, addressed the media before the arrest: “Our national president’s detention reveals the panic within the government. If they believe arrests will silence us, they are mistaken. Punjab Youth Congress will continue to defend democracy, protect Punjab’s rights, and oppose every anti-Punjab decision.”

Issues Raised During the Protest

The Youth Congress highlighted several major issues: • Opposition to the Union Territory (UT) Bill, which they claim undermines Punjab’s administrative rights over Chandigarh • Demand to protect the autonomy of Punjab University • Condemnation of vote theft (vote chori) and alleged election manipulation  • Neglect of Punjab during devastating floods  • Suppression of democratic voices and misuse of police force

A Historic Show of Strength ; The “Lalkar March” witnessed intense slogans, unity among workers, and widespread public support. Despite heavy barricading and police deployment, Youth Congress members marched courageously until the police intervened and made multiple arrests. The Movement Continues :  Following the detentions, Youth Congress workers vowed to intensify their statewide protests. The leadership asserted that this struggle is not merely political but a battle to protect democracy and Punjab’s identity. “You can arrest leaders, but you cannot arrest the movement,” said several workers as police vans departed. Punjab Youth Congress Declares: “We will fight. We will not bow. Punjab’s voice will not be silenced.”