CHANDIGARH: Barring minor skirmishes, the day-long hunger strikes and protests by farmers across Punjab and Haryana on Monday outside the offices of the Deputy Commissioner went off peacefully following a nationwide call against the contentious central farm laws.
Punjab's largest farmer organisation, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) did not observe the day-long hunger strike. However, its activists, largely comprising women, held sit-in protests in Sangrur and Barnala districts.
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Sunil Jakhar along with Punjab Cabinet ministers and other leaders and workers held a protest at the Shambhu barrier bordering Haryana.
Addressing a protest in Amritsar, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal accused the BJP of creating a communal divide.
"I have been told by our senior party leader in Delhi that the BJP has asked its cadre to name the stir as Sikh vs Hindu and create a rift between the communities. But we won't allow them to succeed. The Hindu-Sikh unity remained intact even during the bad days in Punjab and it will stay intact even now, " he said.
He addressed the gathering after attending the 'bhog' ceremony of the Akhand Path at the Akal Takht to mark the 100th foundation day of the party.
In Haryana's Jind town, a minor skirmish occurred as the protesting farmers tried to enter the Deputy Commissioner's office and the police had to use force to stop them.