BSP Warns of Statewide Protest

Demands Release of Pending 16% DA for Punjab Employees
Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/April 1 : BSP state president Avtar Singh Karimpuri condemned the desecration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue in Noorpur Jattan village of Garhshankar and warned that if the police fail to arrest the accused within 72 hours, the party will launch a strong agitation and hold a large protest rally in the village on April 18
Karimpuri also criticised the Punjab government’s response, saying repeated incidents of Ambedkar statue vandalism show a failure to protect such memorials, and accused both the state government and the Centre of not taking adequate security measures . He further linked the issue to BSP’s “Punjab Bachao Abhiyan,” saying the party will not remain silent against what it sees as anti-Ambedkar politics
On the employees’ issue, Karimpuri said the Punjab government should immediately release the pending 16% dearness allowance for employees, calling the government’s stand in court unacceptable and unfair to lakhs of workers . He argued that if the government can spend heavily on publicity, it must also find funds for employees’ dues .
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Punjab president Avtar Singh Karimpuri on Tuesday strongly condemned the desecration of a statue of Constitution maker Dr B.R. Ambedkar in Noorpur Jattan village of Garhshankar and warned of a major agitation if the police fail to arrest the accused within 72 hours
Karimpuri announced that the party would hold a large protest rally in Noorpur Jattan on April 18 in response to the incident . He said the repeated vandalism of Ambedkar statues reflects a serious failure of law and order and accused the Punjab government of not taking adequate steps to protect such memorials .
He also criticised the state government’s position on the pending 16% dearness allowance for employees, demanding that it be released immediately . Calling the government’s explanation in court disappointing, he said employees should not be denied their rightful dues while public money is spent on publicity
Police have tightened security in and around the village and are investigating the incident, including reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas The Tribune reported that the statue had also been vandalised in June 2025, and this latest incident has renewed concern in the area .