A recently surfaced viral video captures members of the radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa affixing images of radical Sikh preacher and Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale onto a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus in Punjab. This act has sparked political controversy and heightened concerns about law and order in the area.

The incident took place on Tuesday, just days after a controversy erupted over tourists from Punjab displaying flags featuring Bhindranwale’s image in Manali. In the viral video, Dal Khalsa activists are seen stopping HRTC buses and other vehicles with Himachal Pradesh registration plates to affix Bhindranwale’s photos. One video shows activists pasting the images on an empty HRTC bus at a bus stand in Hoshiarpur, while another captures men halting a bus and displaying Bhindranwales pictures.

Police Response and Investigation

Hoshiarpur Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Sarbjit Singh Bahia stated that no official complaint had been filed regarding the incident.

“If we receive any complaint, the police will take action against those who try to disturb law and order. Action will be taken against such people no matter which organisation he or she belongs to or whether he or she is a local,” he said.

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a controversial figure associated with the Khalistani separatist movement, was killed during Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1984, an operation ordered by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Political Fallout and Assembly Debate

The issue reached the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, where former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur raised concerns over the law and order situation in the state.

“HRTC buses are being forcibly stopped in Punjab, and photos of Bhindranwale are being put up. The government needs to take immediate action in this entire matter,” Thakur stated during the Assembly session.

In response, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu blamed “mischievous people” for such acts and assured that he would discuss the issue with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to find a resolution.

Tensions Over Bhindranwale Flags in Himachal

The incident comes amid rising tensions over Bhindranwales imagery being displayed in Himachal Pradesh. A local resident in Manali, Subhash, filed a police complaint on March 14 after spotting two Punjab-based bikers carrying a flag with Bhindranwales image. When he asked them to remove it, they allegedly threatened him. Locals later intervened and removed the flag.

In another incident in Manikaran, a scuffle broke out between bikers from Punjab and a resort owner. According to the resort owner, the bikers had an altercation with a man and a woman. When he attempted to defuse the situation and requested them to remove an objectionable flag, the bikers allegedly abused him and attacked his driver with swords and sticks.

Law and Order Concerns

With tensions escalating, law enforcement agencies in both Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are on alert. Authorities have assured that any attempts to disturb peace and communal harmony will be dealt with firmly.