Tensions have escalated between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh over Khalistani flag removal and retaliatory actions.
CHANDIGARH: The dismantling of flags featuring the face of pro-Khalistan militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, has sparked unrest in Punjab, deepening the divide between the two states. The situation escalated on March 16, when pro-Khalistan activists retaliated by posting Bhindranwale’s posters on Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses parked in Punjab. This escalation has raised fears of possible disruptions, particularly after previous Khalistani efforts to agitate law and order.
The incident follows an ongoing crackdown by the Punjab government on drug peddlers and a controversial move to withdraw National Security Act (NSA) charges against seven close associates of Khalistani militant Amritpal Singh. The news of their return to Punjab has emboldened Khalistani groups, who are becoming more active by using social media and street protests to create unrest. Numerous new handles, especially on X (formerly Twitter), have emerged since December 2024, promoting pro-Khalistan views and heightening tensions.
This latest bid to destabilise Punjab follows a pattern seen in the February 2023 Ajnala incident, where Amritpal Singh and his weapon-wielding supporters stormed the Ajnala police station near Amritsar. The aggressive attack, involving swords and guns, was aimed at securing the release of Lovepreet Singh Toofan, one of Amritpal’s close associates, who had been arrested for kidnapping and attempted murder.
The Punjab police, overwhelmed by the crowd, were forced to release Toofan, raising serious questions about law enforcement’s ability to manage Khalistani-supported unrest. After the Ajnala attack, Punjab officials arrested some of Amritpal’s aides under the National Security Act (NSA) and transferred them to Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. However, on March 16, 2025, the Punjab government decided not to renew their NSA detention and released them, allowing them to return to Punjab for further legal proceedings. This has emboldened pro-Khalistan elements, who are now using the HRTC bus poster controversy to incite unrest in the region. In open defiance of authorities, Khalistani forces have issued notices demanding that no HRTC bus be allowed to enter Punjab without carrying a Bhindranwale poster.
On March 16 and 17, posters of Bhindranwale were spotted on HRTC buses in Hoshiarpur and other places in Punjab. Viral videos of the Kullu flag removal and retaliatory poster pasting have further amplified tensions. The origins of this confrontation trace back to the Holi festival when large groups of Sikh pilgrims from Punjab visited Manikaran Sahib in Kullu. It is reported that some bikers engaged in reckless riding and violated traffic laws, leading to clashes with locals. The situation worsened when a Punjab biker allegedly stabbed a Himachal local with a sword, sparking public outrage and a police crackdown. The issue has now reached the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, with former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur urging the Congress government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to engage with Punjab officials. Akal Takht’s acting jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, condemned the destruction of Bhindranwale flags and called on the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister to maintain communal harmony.
Police forces in both states are on high alert, with cases filed under the Arms Act, the Motor Vehicles Act, and public safety legislation. In Kullu, a complaint was filed by a resident of Manali stating that two motorcyclists carrying Bhindranwale flags had threatened him. In another incident, a gang of motorcyclists allegedly attacked a hotel owner and a driver with swords and sticks in Manikaran.
With Khalistani forces openly stoking unrest, the governments of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are under pressure to prevent further destabilisation. The Ajnala incident served as a reminder of how Khalistani radicals exploit weaknesses in law enforcement, and the HRTC bus poster controversy is the latest episode in their efforts to destabilise Punjab.
If left unchecked, these recurring disruptions will contribute to an increasing communal and security crisis in the region.