Uttar Pradesh: BJP, VHP seek removal of Padma Bhushan awardee Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa statue
Moradabad: A protest led by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) took place in Moradabad on Tuesday, demanding the removal of a statue of Padma Bhushan awardee Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa, a renowned tabla player.
The statue, which was recently installed at a prominent crossing in the city, was covered with black polythene by the protesters who also blocked the Moradabad-Haridwar highway for an hour.
The statue is located at Subhash crossing on Kanth Road, near the Akbar Fortress. The road leading to the statue was also recently renamed in Thirakwa's honor. The protesters, joined by several local residents, raised slogans against the Moradabad Municipal Corporation and warned of further agitation unless the statue is removed and replaced with one of Subhash Chandra Bose, as reported by The Indian Express.
Jaidev Yadav, a local VHP leader, emphasised the seriousness of the issue, vowing that the agitation would continue till the statue is replaced with that of Subash Chandra Bose. Protesters also voiced slogans against the Moradabad Mayor Vinod Agarwal, calling for a change in the name of the Moradabad Municipal Corporation.
Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa, who passed away in 1976 at the age of 84, was a skilled percussionist known for his mastery over multiple instruments.
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Punjab: Train services affected due to farmers' 'rail roko' protest
Chandigarh, Dec 18: Train services in Punjab were affected as farmers squatted on rail tracks on Wednesday as part of their three-hour 'Rail Roko' protest to press the Centre into accepting their various demands, including a legally binding minimum support price for crops.
The call for the 'rail roko' was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers have been squatted on rail tracks at many places from 12 noon to 3 pm.
Protesting farmers blocked train routes at many places, including Moga, Faridkot, Kadian and Batala in Gurdaspur; Phillaur in Jalandhar; Tanda, Dasuya, Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur; Makhu, Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepur; Sahnewal in Ludhiana; Shambhu in Patiala; Mohali; Sunam and Lehra in Sangrur, Rampura Phul in Bathinda and Devidaspura in Amritsar.
The Humsafar Express from Jammu to Sealdah, Dadar Express from Amritsar to Mumbai and Shan-e-Punjab Express from New Delhi to Amritsar were halted at different platforms of the Ludhiana railway station.
The Shatabdi Express coming from New Delhi for Amritsar was halted at Khanna railway station.
A protesting farmer said, "We are demanding a legal guarantee for MSP from the government."
Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
For the past three weeks, Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops.
A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14. Haryana security personnel did not allow them to proceed.
Besides a legal guarantee on MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.
