Video circulates as Qaumi Insaaf Morcha plans march to governor's residence
A video purportedly showing jailed convict Jagtar Singh Hawara appealing for calm ahead of the August 15 march organised by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has gone viral on social media, NDTV reported. The broadcaster said it could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage.
The Morcha has announced a march from its protest site near YPS Chowk to the Punjab Governor's residence in Chandigarh, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners who have spent extended periods in jail. Hawara is among those whose release has been demanded by the group.
"[Hawara] appeals to the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha and youth protesters to maintain peace during the march."
Local protest, institutional backing and political timing
The protest near the Chandigarh–Mohali border has been ongoing since 7 January 2023, according to the report, and has focused on the issue of so-called Bandi Singhs — Sikh prisoners detained for prolonged periods. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has given the August 15 agitation its backing, lending the march added institutional weight.
NDTV noted that the timing of the renewed protest is politically significant as Punjab moves closer to the 2027 Assembly elections, with the Bandi Singhs issue resurfacing in panthic and political discourse. The broadcaster also reported that the Punjab government has separately sought parole for Hawara, who was convicted in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.
What authorities and organisers have said
The video’s authenticity remains unconfirmed, the report said, and local authorities have not been cited in the broadcast report as having verified the footage. The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha continues to press for releases and has organised the march from its longstanding protest site toward the governor’s residence in Chandigarh.
- Protest site: Near YPS Chowk, Chandigarh–Mohali border (since 7 January 2023).
- Planned march: From protest site to Punjab Governor's residence on 15 August.
- Demands: Release/parole of Sikh prisoners, including Jagtar Singh Hawara.
- Institutional support: SGPC backing for the August 15 agitation.
Context and potential implications for Chandigarh
The protest and the viral video are likely to attract heightened attention in Chandigarh because the march is planned to terminate at the Governor's residence within the city. The Morcha’s demonstration, coupled with SGPC backing and renewed focus on parole requests, may amplify political and community-level debates locally as parties and organisations position ahead of the next Assembly polls.
Officials and law-enforcement agencies in Chandigarh and neighbouring Punjab districts will be monitoring the situation closely, particularly given the political sensitivity around prisoners associated with past militancy and the communal resonance of the issue among sections of the Sikh community.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Protest start | 7 January 2023 |
| Planned march | 15 August — YPS Chowk to Punjab Governor's residence |
| Principal figure in video | Jagtar Singh Hawara (convicted in Beant Singh assassination) |
NDTV's report is the basis for these details; the broadcaster cautioned that the video's provenance has not been independently established. Local residents and commuters are likely to see traffic and security changes on the day of the march should the organisers proceed as announced.
Authorities, community leaders and organisers have not all released unified statements in the report, and the unfolding events on August 15 will determine how the matter affects public order and political debate in Chandigarh and neighbouring areas.
