On Republic Day, a woman protested against an MLA Sandeep Singh who was unfurling a flag at a Republic Day ceremony in Pehowa, Kurukshetra district. The woman suddenly stood up during the ceremony and screamed “You cannot unfurl the national flag because you are apavitra (impure)”. The woman was then stopped by some followers of Sandeep Singh.
In a recording of the event, the Sandeep supporters can be seen using the protestor’s shawl to control her and tie her down. The supporters were immediately stopped by Pehowa DSP Gurmail Singh who ordered two lady officers to restrain the protestor. The protestor was then taken directly to the police station in Pehowa where she was detained for questioning and then released. Some other people also protested alongside her at the police station.
The protestor was later discovered to be Sonia Duhan, a member of National Congress Party as was also verified by a police officer who said The woman was identified as Sonia Duhan, who is an associated member of the National Congress Party. She was present at the Republic Day event. She protested against Chief minster Sandeep Singh during the event for a case against him in Chandigarh.”
The case in question is referring to the sexual harassment allegations levied by a woman coach against Singh when he was the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs. Following the allegations, the minister had to resign from the post and was made the Minister for Printing and Stationary Department.
A spokesperson for the All India Democratic Women’s Association also weighed in the matter and said that the only reason that Singh was still a minister was because he was being protected by the Chief Minister.
Jagmati Sangwan an activist also objected to the treatment of Sonia Duhan during her protest “She was peacefully protesting against the hoisting of Tricolour by a person facing sexual harassment charges as it is disrespectful to the National Flag. We demand strict action against all those who were dragging and inappropriately grabbing the woman protester,”