Sikh organisations block rail traffic in Punjab over Tytler issue

Chandigarh/Ludhiana/ Mumbai/New Delhi, Apr 8 (ANI): Several Sikh organisations, protesting against CBI's clean chit to Jagdish Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, blocked rail traffic in Punjab today.

According to official sources, activists of the Sant Samaj, which includes organisations like the Damdami Taksal and the Dal Khalsa, squatted on railway lines at Gyaspura village near Ludhiana, Beas and Dakoya in Jalandhar.

The Amritsar-Delhi Shatabdi Express, the Malwa Express and the Paschim Express were affected by the blockade, said Government Railway Police (GRP) sources.

Meanwhile, the Sikh Students Federation (SSF) has said that the incident has highlighted the fact that those responsible for the riots have not been punished so far.

"We believe that the act by journalist Jarnail Singh, who threw a shoe on Chidambaram was right. He threw it because even after 25 years, the ones who were responsible for the Sikh riots have not been punished and no justice has been given to Sikhs," said Gurdeep Singh, SSF president in Ludhiana.

Sikh organisations in Mumbai also came out in support of Jarnail.

"The act may be different in different places. It may vary from person to person, but we are supporting the cause," said Kulwant Singh, general secretary of the Guru Singh Sabha.

Throwing a shoe at someone is considered an insult in India.

A leading advocate who belongs to the Sikh community condemned the incident, saying legal action should be taken against the reporter.

"I condemn the act. It's a crime and whosoever has done this act might it be because of aggression or sorrow. It's not justified. Legal action must be taken against it," said KTS Tulsi, a senior advocate in New Delhi.

The shoe missed Chidambaram, who leaned back to avoid it. He later smiled and asked security guards to take the reporter out of the room.

This was the latest incident of shoe-throwing as a mark of protest against political leaders, including former U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. (ANI)