Punjab bandh on August 21: Will schools remain shut in state tomorrow? Know here
PTC Web Desk: With several Sikh organisations backing a Punjab bandh call for August 21, questions have been raised over whether schools across the state will remain closed.
The Private School Association Punjab has now issued a clear clarification: private schools will remain open on August 21 and will not observe a holiday due to the bandh call.
The association has circulated an advisory to schools across Punjab, stating that educational institutions should continue to function as usual.
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According to the statement issued by the Private School Association Punjab, schools are educational institutions and will not be closed in response to a religious or political call for a shutdown.
Association president Jagjit Singh Dhuri also shared the information and made it clear that schools affiliated with the association would remain open on August 21.
The clarification comes amid growing uncertainty among parents and students following the announcement of a state-wide bandh.
Allied organisations of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha have called for a Punjab bandh on August 21 in support of their demands, particularly the release of Sikh prisoners, commonly referred to as Bandi Singhs.
The bandh has been announced from 7 am to 2 pm. Organisers have cited alleged police action against their supporters, registration of cases and the continued detention of Bandi Singhs as the reasons behind the shutdown call.
The organisations have appealed to people across Punjab to support the bandh.
The bandh organisers have said that markets and public transport will remain closed during the protest period. They have also announced plans to stop road traffic. The organisers appealed to the government to suspend train services as well. They warned that railway services could face protests if trains continue to operate during the bandh.
However, they have said that people travelling for essential reasons, including medical emergencies, airport journeys, examinations and weddings, would be allowed to travel.
Hospitals and medical stores are expected to remain open during the bandh. Emergency services have been kept outside the scope of the shutdown call.
The organisers have also said that they do not intend to forcibly involve the public in the bandh and claimed that the seven-hour period was selected to reduce inconvenience.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has extended support to the August 21 bandh call.
SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said the organisation has consistently supported the demand for the release of Bandi Singhs and would continue to back peaceful efforts related to the issue.
In view of the bandh, SGPC offices and institutions will remain closed on August 21.
The SGPC has also postponed its Interim Committee meeting scheduled for August 21. The meeting will now take place on August 22 at 11 am at the SGPC headquarters in Amritsar.
What should parents know?
For students studying in private schools covered by the association's circular, August 21 will be a regular school day unless their individual school issues a separate notice. Parents are therefore advised to follow communication from their respective schools rather than relying solely on general bandh announcements circulating on social media.
- PTC NEWS
