2 hrs ago
Black Flag Protest at Bhagwant Mann Event Triggers Political Row
An anti-drug campaigner named Mohanjeet Singh protested near a public meeting led by Bhagwant Mann.
He climbed onto a nearby roof, showed a black cloth and shouted slogans about drugs in Punjab.
Police detained him to prevent trouble.
Police said a medical examination and dope test later found him positive.
They said he was released and returned to his family.
Mohanjeet said he was hurt in custody and that police gave him something that affected the test.
These claims have not been independently checked.
Opposition leader Bikram Singh Majithia said the incident showed that the government was trying to silence people who ask questions.
Anti-drug activist Mohanjeet Singh was detained during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s programme in Sheron village, Sangrur.
Police said Mohanjeet displayed a black cloth and raised slogans about Punjab’s drug crisis from a nearby rooftop.
Sangrur SSP Ravjot Grewal said Mohanjeet was held preventively, tested positive in a dope test and was later released.
Mohanjeet alleged he was assaulted and given something in custody that caused the positive test; the claims remain unverified.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of suppressing dissent.
- Who
- Anti-drug activist Mohanjeet Singh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Sangrur SSP Ravjot Grewal and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia.
- What
- Mohanjeet Singh was detained after displaying a black cloth and protesting against the state government’s handling of Punjab’s drug problem.
- Where
- Sheron village in Sangrur, Punjab.
- When
- During Bhagwant Mann’s public programme; no specific date was provided.
- Why
- Police said the detention was preventive, while Mohanjeet said he was protesting the growing drug menace; Majithia alleged the government was suppressing dissent.
Critics and Protester
Police and Government Position
Reason for the protest
Critics and Protester
Mohanjeet said his action highlighted Punjab’s growing drug menace, while Bikram Singh Majithia portrayed it as a public protest against the government.
Police and Government Position
The police account focused on preventing disruption during the public programme and said Mohanjeet was taken into preventive custody.
Treatment in custody
Critics and Protester
Mohanjeet alleged that he was assaulted and given something that caused his positive dope-test result.
Police and Government Position
Police said he underwent a medical examination and that the dope test was positive, but the supplied account does not include a response to his allegations.
Meaning of the detention
Critics and Protester
Majithia said the incident demonstrated that the Aam Aadmi Party government was suppressing dissent and intimidating people who asked questions.
Police and Government Position
Police said Mohanjeet was later released and returned to his family; no government statement directly addressing Majithia’s accusation was provided.
Key facts
- Protester
- Mohanjeet Singh, an anti-drug activist
- Event
- Bhagwant Mann’s public programme
- Location
- Sheron village, Sangrur, Punjab
- Police action
- Preventive custody followed by release after a medical examination
- Dope test
- Sangrur SSP Ravjot Grewal said the test was positive
- Political reaction
- Bikram Singh Majithia accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of silencing dissent
- Unresolved allegation
- Mohanjeet alleged assault and said police gave him something that led to the positive result; the claims were not independently verified
Quotes
Bikram Singh Majithia
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader
“He was taken into preventive custody, and after he underwent a medical test, his dope test also tested positive. We released him later. He has returned to his family.”
NDTV
“This is not a public interaction, but a conspiracy to silence the voice of the people!”
NDTV
Sources
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