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India braced for strike by Sikhs Strike by Sikhs hits Indian state
(about 7 hours later)
Security forces are on alert in northern India after Sikhs called for a general strike in protest at what they say is an insult to their religion. Cities and towns across the northern Indian state of Punjab are shut in response to a general strike called by the Sikh community.
They are demanding an apology after a leader of a religious sect appeared in an advert dressed like one of the Sikh religion's most important figures. Security forces have been deployed and businesses and schools are closed for the day amid fears of violence.
Sikhs are demanding an apology from the leader of a religious sect who appeared in an advert dressed like one of the Sikh religion's most important figures.
Sikh community leaders say it is an insult to their religion.
Last week, thousands took to the streets. One man was shot dead in clashes that followed.Last week, thousands took to the streets. One man was shot dead in clashes that followed.
Attempts to broker a settlement between the Sikhs and the sect have failed.Attempts to broker a settlement between the Sikhs and the sect have failed.
'Blasphemy' Deserted
Ahead of this strike, thousands of extra police and soldiers have been deployed across Punjab, one of India's most volatile states. Thousands of extra police and soldiers have been deployed across Punjab and the state's political leadership has said peace will be maintained at all costs.
DSS supporters have come from various religionsDSS supporters have come from various religions
Fearing possible violence by outraged Sikhs, they have been building barricades around the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) religious sect. Streets in many Punjabi cities and towns are deserted.
Perhaps 20,000 DSS followers live on or near the campus. Thousands of machine-gun wielding soldiers are on alert and the anti-riot Rapid Action Force personnel have marched through some of the sensitive areas.
Sikh leaders have called for a total shutdown in Punjab on Tuesday to express Sikh anger. In the state of Jammu, Sikhs have held protest demonstrations, burning effigies of the leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) religious sect.
They have also demanded that all campuses where sect members live be closed within a week.
The DSS's leader has refused to apologise for appearing in an advertisement dressed like one of the figures most revered by Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.The DSS's leader has refused to apologise for appearing in an advertisement dressed like one of the figures most revered by Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh.
The Sikhs called it blasphemy.The Sikhs called it blasphemy.
Fearing possible violence by outraged Sikhs, security forces have erected barricades around the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) religious sect in Sirsa town [in the neighbouring state of Haryana].
An estimated 20,000 DSS followers live on or near the campus.
The sect also has many smaller campuses across Punjab.
Appeal for calm
Sikh leaders have demanded that all campuses where sect members live be closed within a week.
The sect claims it has 20 million members worldwide and says it is not a religion but a humanitarian organisation caring for its devotees.The sect claims it has 20 million members worldwide and says it is not a religion but a humanitarian organisation caring for its devotees.
India's government fears the dispute could trigger widespread unrest.India's government fears the dispute could trigger widespread unrest.
Throughout the 1980s and the 1990s, Punjab was the site of a violent insurgency by Sikhs who desired an independent homeland. Although peace has prevailed in the state for the last decade or so, in the 1980s and the 1990s, Punjab was the site of a violent insurgency by Sikhs who desired an independent homeland.
Indian security forces killed many Sikh militants after they seized the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Sikh religion's most important site. In 1984 Indian security forces killed many Sikh militants after they seized the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Sikh religion's most important site.
In revenge, Sikh soldiers shot dead Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister. In revenge, Sikh soldiers shot dead Indira Gandhi, the then-prime minister.
India's current Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh, has called for calm. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, himself a Sikh, has called for calm.