Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh also condemned the incident, calling it highly unfortunate.
Himachal Pradesh News: A major controversy erupted in Himachal Pradesh after posters of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were forcibly pasted on buses operated by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). The incident has sparked widespread political reactions, with leaders across the state demanding immediate action.
The issue was raised in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly by Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who called for prompt measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Speaking in the Assembly and later to the media, Thakur expressed serious concern over the growing presence of individuals from outside the state engaging in activities that could disturb law and order. "Himachal Pradesh has always been a peaceful state where people live in harmony. However, these recent incidents, including outsiders displaying flags and taking the law into their own hands, cannot be allowed," Thakur stated.
Referring to the shocking episode where an HRTC bus was stopped and Bhindranwale’s posters were pasted on it, Thakur added, "It is unacceptable that a bus was stopped in Punjab, posters of Bhindranwale were put up, and inappropriate slogans were shouted while wielding swords. I raised this matter in the Assembly today, and I urge the Chief Minister to personally speak with the Punjab Chief Minister to put an end to such incidents. Once such activities begin, they tend to escalate, which is neither good for Himachal nor for Punjab."
Thakur called for strict action against those responsible, saying, "The perpetrators should be identified and punished. Punjab's Chief Minister must intervene to resolve this matter at the earliest."
Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh also condemned the incident, calling it highly unfortunate. "Himachal Pradesh has always maintained cordial relations with all states. Incidents like these damage the state's reputation and hurt public sentiment, which cannot be tolerated," Singh said, emphasizing that maintaining law and order in border areas remains a top priority for the government.
"The Chief Minister has taken note of these incidents. If such acts, involving pasting posters on Himachal’s buses, have happened in Punjab or Haryana, they are entirely condemnable. Every state has a responsibility to uphold mutual respect and harmony. The Chief Minister will discuss this matter with the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab to ensure such incidents are not repeated," Singh stated.
Singh also recalled a previous incident when Khalistani flags were placed on the gates of the Dharamshala Assembly during the BJP government's tenure, which he called "completely inappropriate." He stressed the need to remain vigilant to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
Addressing the international aspect of the issue, Singh pointed out recent protests abroad, including one where black flags were shown to India's External Affairs Minister in London. "Such activities are unfortunate. The Home Ministry must take this issue seriously and ensure that these incidents do not threaten India's unity," Singh added.
Himachal Pradesh's Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani downplayed the situation, stating that it was not a widespread law-and-order crisis, but he acknowledged the seriousness of the matter. "This is an isolated incident. However, the Opposition Leader did raise this issue in the Assembly, along with the recent Bilaspur firing case, on which the Chief Minister has already taken action. Some individuals have been arrested," Dharmani explained.
Referring to the presence of individuals waving certain flags and attacking police officers, Dharmani noted that legal action had already been initiated. He also emphasized that such incidents are not exclusive to Himachal, pointing to the frequency of similar events in Punjab. "The Punjab government must take this issue seriously. The central government, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah, must also take strong action against anti-India forces. Punjab has witnessed severe terrorism in the past, and unless both the Punjab government and the central government take decisive action, it will be impossible to curb such activities," Dharmani warned.
Dharmani further stressed that instability in Punjab also impacts neighboring states like Himachal. "Himachal will do its part, but Punjab's government must act decisively. This is a national security concern, and the Indian government must deal with such anti-national activities with an iron hand," he added.
With leaders from across political parties calling for strong action, the issue of Bhindranwale posters on HRTC buses has become a significant political flashpoint. As the Himachal Pradesh government vows to take necessary steps, all eyes are now on Punjab's response and the potential intervention of the central government to address the matter.
