In a turbulent development affecting the relationship between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended ten bus routes to Punjab following an attack on one of its buses. This incident occurred on the night of March 18, 2025, when a bus traveling from Chandigarh to Hamirpur was vandalized in Kharar, Mohali, by individuals who smashed the windows using sticks and stones. Despite the panic caused, no injuries to the 25 passengers aboard were reported.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on March 19, 2025, that he had discussed the incident with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who expressed his intent to implement strict measures against those behind the vandalism. "The DGP-level officers will discuss to take action on the issue," Sukhu noted, emphasizing the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of public transport. He also added that police protection would be extended to the buses if necessary.
In response to the episode, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri confirmed the government's proactive steps, stating that they were in continuous communication with Punjab's government and had assigned officials to monitor local bus stands. A formal investigation is underway, with a case registered at the Kharar police station by the Mohali SSP, who has assured security to HRTC’s bus operations.
The unrest is further exacerbated by a recent controversy regarding the removal of posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a prominent figure in Sikh history, which has ignited protests among Sikh organizations. These groups, protesting the actions taken against Bhindranwale's images, attempted to march towards the Punjab-Himachal border but were halted by Punjab police, leading to heightened tensions in the area. A significant police presence has been deployed amid fears of escalating violence.
On March 18, when the attack occurred, two youths reportedly blocked the HRTC bus and carried out the assault. Video footage captured at the scene shows the assailants breaking the windows while passengers evacuated the bus in fear. Following the attack, the perpetrators fled the scene in an Alto car, which had obscured license plate numbers.
The confrontation over Bhindranwale's portrayal was reportedly ignited days earlier when some tourists arrived from Punjab displaying Bhindranwale’s flags and posters in Kullu district, thereby prompting locals to forcibly remove these symbols, which they perceived as an affront to their sentiments and culture. This act further inflamed tensions, leading Sikh organizations to retaliate by marking state buses with Bhindranwale’s images as a form of protest.
Transpiring in a backdrop of a divided response, Sikh organizations within Punjab are echoing their discontent through organized actions, hoping to bring attention to what they describe as an injust treatment towards their revered figures. The situation remains precarious, with various youth groups openly defying the authorities, as seen during protests at the Hoshiarpur bus stand, where activists fixed stickers of Bhindranwale to HRTC vehicles.
Further complicating the dynamics, the HRTC has issued advisories restricting bus operations along ten routes in response to public safety concerns, citing the potential for more hostility due to the ongoing protests. As the Chief Ministers continue to dialogue about safety measures for public transportation, the fabric of cooperation between the neighboring states hangs precariously amid the ongoing tensions.
In summary, the interaction between the Punjab and Himachal government officials, as well as the responses from various Sikh organizations, reflects a deep rift that has emerged from historical grievances and contemporary strife. The outcome of these discussions and protests may shape not only transport policies between the two states but also the communal harmony in the border areas in the coming weeks.
