Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur Shut Down in Protest Over Ambedkar Statue Desecration in Ludhiana

September 10, 2026

Punjab: Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur were shut down on Thursday (September 10) following a protest by the Dalit community against the alleged desecration of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Ludhiana, where a garland of shoes was reportedly put around the statue.

Shops, Banks Remain Closed in Jalandhar

In Jalandhar, most shops in the markets have remained closed since morning. Banks have also remained shut. In Hoshiarpur, protesters went around markets and urged shopkeepers to close their establishments.

Rajiv Gora, president of Bhagwan Valmiki Shakti Kranti Sena Punjab, and Gaurav Valmiki, president of Bheem Kranti Sena, said the shutdown would continue until 5 p.m. They also said that government offices and banks would be closed as part of the protest.

Emergency Services Kept Open

Keeping public inconvenience in mind, highways were not blocked during the shutdown. Medical stores and hospitals were allowed to remain open as emergency services. Schools and colleges were also kept open in view of ongoing examinations.

Rajiv Gora said the main protest was held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chowk in Jalandhar. Members of various organisations also visited markets and appealed to shopkeepers to keep their establishments closed.

He said traders in Jalandhar’s busiest Rainak Bazaar had already extended their support to the shutdown. Shopkeepers in other markets also cooperated by keeping their establishments closed.

Ludhiana Police to Meet Dalit Community

Meanwhile, in Ludhiana, Police Commissioner Swapn Sharma will hold a meeting with members of the Dalit community at the Police Lines at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

Police said the matter would be resolved soon and assured that action would be taken against anyone found responsible for the incident.