Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Punjab Bandh Brings School Closures and Highway Blockades
A group called the Qoumi Insaaf Morcha asked people in Punjab to stop normal activities for seven hours.
The group wants some Sikh prisoners to be released.
Many private schools closed, but most government offices and essential services continued working.
Some government schools in Faridkot and Moga were reportedly closed by protesters.
Protesters held sit-ins and blocked several roads and highways.
They allowed ambulances to pass.
Markets were closed in places such as Mohali and Patiala, but some shops and factories stayed open in other areas.
The bandh therefore had a mixed response across Punjab.
The Qoumi Insaaf Morcha called a seven-hour Punjab bandh from 7 am to demand the release of Sikh prisoners.
Nearly 7,500 private schools closed after the Mini Bus Operators Association supported the bandh.
Government offices and most essential services continued operating, although some government schools were reportedly forced to close.
Protesters blocked highways and roads in several districts, while allowing ambulances and other emergency services to pass.
The bandh had a strong response in Mohali but was mixed elsewhere, with some markets and factories remaining open.
- Who
- The Qoumi Insaaf Morcha, farmer organisations, Nihang groups and supporting organisations led or joined the protests.
- What
- A seven-hour bandh was held to demand the release of Sikh prisoners.
- When
- Friday, beginning at 7 am.
- Where
- Across Punjab, including Mohali, Patiala, Bathinda, Sangrur, Barnala, Faridkot, Moga, Ludhiana and Kharar.
- Why
- Organisers said Sikh prisoners remain in jail despite completing their sentences; the Morcha also supported parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara to visit his ailing mother.
Supporters of the Bandh
Critics and Affected Institutions
Release of Sikh prisoners
Supporters of the Bandh
The Qoumi Insaaf Morcha and supporting groups said Sikh prisoners remain jailed despite completing their sentences and called for their release.
Critics and Affected Institutions
The articles do not identify an opposing position on the prisoners' release, but the Federation of Punjab Private Schools Association said it did not object to the demands while opposing school closures during bandhs.
School closures
Supporters of the Bandh
Nihang groups and other supporters reportedly closed some government schools in Faridkot and Moga, saying schools should shut during the bandh.
Critics and Affected Institutions
The Federation of Punjab Private Schools Association said schools should be treated as essential services and should not close during a bandh. A teachers' organisation said government schools were open, although other reports described forced closures in some areas.
Road blockades
Supporters of the Bandh
Protesters used dharnas and highway blockades to enforce the bandh, while saying emergency services would not be stopped.
Critics and Affected Institutions
The restrictions caused traffic jams and inconvenience for commuters, although ambulances were allowed to pass.
- Bandh duration
- Seven hours, beginning at 7 am on Friday
- Private schools closed
- Nearly 7,500 across Punjab
- Government offices
- Mostly continued to function
- Key demand
- Release of Sikh prisoners
- Major disruption
- Road and highway blockades affected traffic in several districts
- Emergency services
- Ambulances were allowed to pass through protest blockades
- Strongest response
- Mohali markets largely shut and several roads were blocked