On 7 January 2023, Sikh and farm groups marching from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali towards Chandigarh were stopped at the border and set up a permanent sit-in near YPS Chowk, under the banner of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha. They want the release of Sikh prisoners, the "Bandi Singhs", and justice in the 2015 sacrilege and Faridkot firing cases. A clash on 8 February 2023 injured dozens of police, and the High Court repeatedly ordered the road cleared. As of October 2026 the morcha is still sitting at the border, and none of its core demands has been met.
Key takeaways
- The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has sat at YPS Chowk on the Mohali-Chandigarh border since 7 January 2023, demanding the release of nine Sikh prisoners and justice in the 2015 sacrilege and Faridkot firing cases.
- On 8 February 2023 a march to the Chief Minister's house turned violent; police figures put injured personnel at 25 to 40, and seven morcha leaders were booked for attempt to murder and other offences.
- The High Court ordered the road kept open from March 2023; one side reopened in September 2023, and in April 2024 the court said Punjab and Chandigarh were "dragging their feet".
- The Centre announced Rajoana's commutation in 2019 but later said no pardon had been given; the Supreme Court is to hear his plea on merits. A Punjab bandh followed tear gas at the border in August 2026.
Background: who the "Bandi Singhs" are
"Bandi Singh" is the term used for Sikh prisoners convicted for crimes during the militancy years in Punjab PTI via ThePrint. Supporters seek their release for good conduct "in accordance with the provisions of the law", advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur told ThePrint ThePrint.
The campaign dates to November 2013, when activist Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa held a 44-day hunger strike at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali. A list of 119 prisoners drawn up then has shrunk to about two dozen as people were released ThePrint. The SGPC keeps a list of 21 Tribune.
The morcha focuses on nine. Seven were convicted for the 31 August 1995 bombing outside the Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh that killed Beant Singh and 16 others: Jagtar Singh Hawara, Balwant Singh Rajoana, Gurmeet Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Shamsher Singh, Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Tara. The other two are Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, convicted for a 1993 Delhi bombing that killed nine, and Gurdeep Singh Khera, convicted in blast cases in Delhi and Karnataka ThePrint.
How it started and who is behind it
On 7 January 2023 hundreds of protesters marched from Gurdwara Amb Sahib towards Chandigarh and were stopped at the UT border. They announced a permanent morcha near YPS Chowk, backed by about a dozen religious, farmer and other bodies Tribune.
ThePrint described the organisers as radical Sikh organisations. Hawara's father, Gurcharan Singh, had formed the Jagtar Singh Hawara Release Committee, one of the morcha's flag-bearers ThePrint. The Pioneer names Pal Singh France as convener, with advocates Amar Singh Chahal and Dilsher Singh, Balwinder Singh and others among its leaders The Pioneer. Nihangs, several Sikh bodies and some farm unions backed it, and tents and a langar went up on the road Tribune.
A Mohali SSP affidavit to the High Court in October 2023 listed the demands as including tougher punishment for sacrilege and "sympathetic" consideration of premature release for named prisoners Tribune. The morcha also wants justice for the October 2015 police firing at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in Faridkot, where two protesters against the sacrilege were killed Tribune.
There was friction among Sikh groups. On 18 January 2023 protesters attacked the vehicle of SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami as he left the site Tribune. In February 2023 Rajoana himself said he had "nothing to do" with the morcha, that he "is and will always be an Akali", and asked organisers to disclose their political affiliation Tribune.
The 8 February 2023 clash
The morcha had announced a march to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's official residence in Chandigarh. Around 11 am nearly 1,000 protesters gathered at the barricades, and around 3 pm they tried to force their way through. Police used water cannons and what The Tribune called a "mild lathicharge"; a group of armed protesters, some on horses, then charged the police Tribune.
Injury figures varied:
- The Tribune reported police saying nearly 40 personnel, including seven from the Rapid Action Force, were injured and admitted to the Sector 16 hospital Tribune.
- UT DGP Praveer Ranjan put it at "25-30 jawans" with serious injuries PTI via Free Press Journal; the FIR referred to around 30 Tribune.
- The later PIL, citing newspaper reports, said 11 Mohali district police, including seven policewomen, were admitted to the Phase 6 civil hospital Tribune.
- Morcha leader Gurcharan Singh said "several people" among the protesters were hurt by the water cannon and cane charge; no count of injured protesters was published PTI via Free Press Journal.
The Chandigarh Police FIR named seven people linked to the morcha, including Gurcharan Singh, Balwinder Singh, Amar Singh Chahal and Dilsher Singh Jandiala, plus unidentified others, under 17 sections including IPC 307 (attempt to murder), the Arms Act and the property damage law. It alleged vehicles were damaged and protesters took a tear gas gun and ammunition Tribune.
Protesters' account
Gurcharan Singh questioned the use of force against what he called peaceful protesters and accused the administration of trying to "fail" the morcha PTI via Free Press Journal. Three days later he said the government was trying to kill the protest Tribune. Claim · Morcha
Police account
DGP Ranjan said Section 144 was in force, the march had been refused, and that without provocation from police a group carrying swords, iron rods and sticks attacked. "We used minimum force to control them," he said, calling it "a leaderless crowd" and holding the morcha responsible. He said Punjab Police had been warned in advance PTI via Free Press Journal. Police released CCTV footage showing protesters with swords and sticks attacking vehicles Tribune. Government's position
Further attempts on 9, 10 and 11 February were turned back Tribune. After the clash the road separating Sectors 51 and 52 was closed to traffic Tribune.
The High Court and the blocked road
In March 2023 the NGO Arrive Safe Society filed a PIL saying the sit-in was hurting people who needed medical care and school students. On 10 March the High Court asked Punjab why no steps had been taken and said none of the roads from Mohali to Chandigarh should be obstructed LiveLaw. In April 2023 a bench said the protest could not be allowed to continue for all time to come; Punjab's Advocate General said talks were under way LiveLaw.
After the court gave the state and the morcha a "last opportunity" on 17 August 2023 Tribune, on 4 September, after talks with the Mohali administration and with heavy police deployment, protesters were moved off one side of the road and traffic resumed. They shifted to the other side, which held the congregation area and langar, and said the morcha would stay until demands were met Tribune. The Advocate General told the court the other side would be vacated "very soon" Tribune.
In October 2023 the court made the Centre a party after Punjab said the issue was a Centre-State matter needing joint action Tribune. In April 2024 a bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji said Punjab and Chandigarh were "dragging their feet" while a "handful" of people blocked the road, and added:
Only on account of the fact that some of the protestors have been hiding behind a shield of religious legitimacy by placing the Guru Granth Sahib would not as such give the State reason not to act against the persons concerned, who are misusing the religious sentiments.
Punjab and Haryana High Court, April 2024, via LiveLaw
The morcha appealed. On 19 July 2024 a Supreme Court bench of Justices BR Gavai, KV Viswanathan and N Kotiswar Singh issued notice and tagged the case with a similar pending matter LiveLaw. No final ruling in that appeal was found in published reports, and the site was never fully cleared.
What the governments say
The Centre. In September 2019 the Home Ministry announced, for Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary, that eight Sikh prisoners would be released and Rajoana's death sentence commuted Scroll ThePrint. On 3 December 2019 Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha: "No pardon has been given" Scroll. In December 2023 he told the House the mercy petition could not be considered because it was filed by a "third party", the SGPC, and that someone who had shown no repentance for terrorism should not expect mercy Tribune. Government's position
Before the Supreme Court the Home Ministry has said a decision on the mercy plea should be deferred because it could compromise national security and create a law and order situation, and that it cannot be decided until other convicts' appeals are settled Tribune. In January 2025 Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court: "It's a murder of a sitting CM" Tribune.
The Punjab government. The AAP government's stand in court was that the blockade needed a joint operation with central agencies LiveLaw. On release decisions, Chief Minister Mann has said the authority lies elsewhere: of Hawara's parole in August 2026, he said "it is the Centre that will take a call" PTI via ThePrint. Release decisions for several of the nine lie with other administrations: ThePrint reported that the Delhi government rejected Bhullar's plea in 2020 and Karnataka refused to release Khera after the Centre's 2019 decision. The Chandigarh administration rejected Gurmeet Singh's premature release in November 2022 after a Patiala district magistrate's report said it could disturb peace ThePrint. Government's position
The Akali Dal accused both sides. In March 2023 Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the BJP had gone back on its 2019 commitment and AAP was "sitting" on Bhullar's release Tribune. Claim · SAD
Rajoana's mercy petition in the Supreme Court
Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was sentenced to death in 2007 and did not appeal. The SGPC filed a mercy petition in March 2012, which stayed his hanging ThePrint. On 3 May 2023 the Supreme Court refused to commute the sentence. It said the Home Ministry's decision to defer "actually amounts to a decision declining to grant the same for the present" and left the matter to the executive Tribune.
A fresh petition followed in 2024. In January 2025 it gave the Centre a "last chance" to decide by 18 March Tribune. On 22 April 2026 a bench led by Justice Vikram Nath gave the Centre two final weeks to file its affidavit; the Centre wanted to place documents in a sealed cover Verdictum. UNI reported on 8 October 2026 that the Centre has opposed commutation and that the court will examine it on merits UNI.
Later phases, 2024 to 2026
Toll plazas opened
Protesters held three-hour sit-ins at 13 toll plazas and stopped toll collection Tribune.
Second-anniversary clash
A march towards the CM's house near ISBT Sector 43 met tear gas, water cannons and a lathicharge. The Tribune named four injured police, including an inspector; PTI's headline said three. Police said one group carried swords Tribune PTI via Deccan Herald.
Mann backs Hawara parole
Mann wrote to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria seeking 10-day parole for Hawara to meet his ailing mother, and met him on 12 August. Beant Singh's grandson, BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, backed the request PTI via ThePrint. Outlook noted that earlier in 2026 Punjab had forwarded his case with an unfavourable recommendation Outlook.
Tear gas at the border
Protesters marching to the Governor's house tried to pull down barricades, some with tractors. Police used tear gas, including from a drone, and water cannons; SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann was detained PTI via ThePrint Tribune.
Punjab bandh
A 7 am to 2 pm shutdown closed markets in several districts and hit buses; trains ran in Bathinda. SGPC, SAD (Punar Surjit), Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and farm unions backed it ETV Bharat The Pioneer.
Morcha on 15 August 2026
Gurcharan Singh said: "We have been sitting here peacefully for over three years, but the government has not been willing to give us justice... We have never broken barricades." He blamed "unnecessary barricading" for the tension ANI via Asianet. Protesters said more than a dozen were hurt The Pioneer, a figure not independently confirmed. Claim · Morcha
Chandigarh Police on 15 August 2026
SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said protesters were warned many times, and that "some more aggressive people that have sharp weapons came forward, broke the barricade, and tried to attack the police". She said non-lethal force was used, some personnel were hospitalised and some protesters detained ANI via Asianet. Government's position
Outcome so far
- Site: Not cleared. Reports in August 2026 still describe the morcha at Sector 52-53 and YPS Chowk since 7 January 2023 PTI via ThePrint.
- Cases: An FIR from 8 February 2023 under 17 sections against seven named leaders and others; three FIRs after the January 2025 clash Tribune Tribune. No trial outcome was found.
- Prisoners: None of the nine has been released. The Pioneer reports Delhi's Sentence Review Board rejected Bhullar's premature release on 10 February 2026 The Pioneer.
- Firing cases: Charges hearings against Sukhbir Badal, ex-DGP Sumedh Saini and others in the Kotkapura case resumed in Faridkot in February 2025; the Behbal Kalan case was moved to Chandigarh in July 2024 Tribune.
What is still pending
The Supreme Court was due to hear Rajoana's commutation plea on merits after the Centre opposed it UNI. Hawara's parole was unresolved on 9 October 2026, with reports of a possible six-hour visit not officially confirmed UNI. On 10 October 2026 the Akal Takht secretariat told an SGPC member not to meet Mann on the issue, accusing the government of using it ahead of elections Punjab News Express.
Questions people ask
What is the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha?
A front of Sikh bodies, Nihang groups and farm unions that has held a sit-in at the Mohali-Chandigarh border since 7 January 2023, seeking the release of Sikh prisoners and justice in the 2015 sacrilege and firing cases.
Which prisoners does the morcha want released?
Nine: seven convicted in the 1995 Beant Singh assassination, including Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh Rajoana, plus Devinderpal Singh Bhullar and Gurdeep Singh Khera, convicted in bombing cases. By early 2023 all but one had spent 25 to 32 years in jail, according to ThePrint.
Has the road at YPS Chowk been cleared?
Only partly. One side was reopened on 4 September 2023 after talks and High Court pressure. The other side, with the congregation area and langar, has stayed occupied, and the morcha's appeal against the High Court is pending in the Supreme Court.
Who decides on releasing the Bandi Singhs?
Rajoana's mercy plea lies with the President and the Home Ministry; premature release of others goes to the administrations where they were convicted, such as Chandigarh, Delhi or Karnataka.
Sources
- Scroll: Rajoana's death penalty not commuted, says Amit Shah, 3 Dec 2019
- ThePrint: SGPC and Quami Insaaf Morcha fight for common cause of Bandi Singhs. Who are they?, 23 Jan 2023
- Tribune: Policemen attacked with swords in Mohali, 40 hurt, 9 Feb 2023
- PTI via Free Press Journal: People seeking release of Sikh prisoners clash with cops, 30 injured, 9 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Protesters snatched tear gas handgun, ammunition; tried to kill policemen, says FIR, 9 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Members of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha again refused entry to Chandigarh, 12 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Of 21 Bandi Singhs, nine getting parole since 2013, 17 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Balwant Singh Rajoana: Nothing to do with Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, 21 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Centre hasn't kept its word on Bandi Singhs: Harsimrat Badal, 4 Mar 2023
- Tribune: Amritpal Singh's supporters removed from Sohana chowk in Mohali, 22 Mar 2023
- LiveLaw: Force ready to act but indecision of authorities apparent: High Court on agitation, 13 Apr 2023
- Tribune: High Court gives govt, morcha last chance to end issue, 18 Aug 2023
- Tribune: 8 months on, road near morcha site cleared in Mohali, 5 Sept 2023
- Tribune: Entire road to be opened soon, says Punjab Govt, 6 Sept 2023
- Tribune: High Court puts Centre on notice, 10 Oct 2023
- Tribune: QIM seeking stringent punishment in sacrilege cases, High Court told, 11 Oct 2023
- Tribune: Amit Shah's remarks on Bandi Singhs leave Sikh bodies dejected, 22 Dec 2023
- Tribune: Qaumi Insaaf Morcha turns 1 today, 7 Jan 2024
- Tribune: Qaumi Insaaf Morcha holds protests at 13 toll plazas, 21 Jan 2024
- LiveLaw: No reason for State not to act against persons blocking roads, 11 Apr 2024
- Tribune: High Court raps authorities for delay in addressing Mohali blockade, 12 Apr 2024
- LiveLaw: Supreme Court issues notice on Kaumi Insaf Morcha's plea, 19 July 2024
- Tribune: SC to re-examine Rajoana's plea for commuting death penalty, 26 Sept 2024
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Police use tear gas, water cannon against morcha protesters, 3 cops injured, 7 Jan 2025
- Tribune: Morcha activists clash with UT police, 4 cops hurt, 8 Jan 2025
- Tribune: Decide on Rajoana plea by March 18: top court to Centre, 21 Jan 2025
- Tribune: Proceedings resume in Kotkapura police firing case, 3 Feb 2025
- Tribune: Hearing resumes on framing of charges against Sukhbir, others, 4 Feb 2025
- Verdictum: Supreme Court asks Centre to file affidavit on Rajoana's plea, 22 Apr 2026
- Outlook: Why Bhagwant Mann's Hawara parole move has put Punjab politics on edge, 10 Aug 2026
- PTI via ThePrint: Mann meets Governor, seeks intervention; Bittu backs plea, 12 Aug 2026
- PTI via ThePrint: Tear gas, water cannons used against Qaumi Insaf Morcha protesters, 15 Aug 2026
- Tribune: Tear gas, water cannons used as supporters try to enter Chandigarh, 15 Aug 2026
- The Pioneer: How a 3.5-year-old Mohali siege turned into tear gas and a bandh, Aug 2026
- The Pioneer: Tight security at Chandigarh-Mohali border as Punjab Bandh begins, 21 Aug 2026
- ANI via Asianet Newsable: Bandh for Sikh prisoners' release hits Punjab, 21 Aug 2026
- ETV Bharat: Punjab Bandh today: markets shut, buses hit, 21 Aug 2026
- UNI: Centre opposes Rajoana death commutation; SC to hear plea on merits, 8 Oct 2026
- UNI: Hawara's parole plea back in focus; six-hour release yet to be confirmed, 9 Oct 2026
- Punjab News Express: Akal Takht Jathedar directs Panjoli not to meet CM Mann, 10 Oct 2026