August 12, 2021
Maharashtra, India
UNITED SIKHS is representing 28 Sikhs who were arrested after violence broke out during the Holla Mohalla in Nanded. UNITED SIKHS legal aid team member, Advocate Aman Pal Singh secured bail for the 4 minors. 14 of the remaining 24 Sikhs will be released soon and will only be booked for violating Covid-19 restrictions. UNITED SIKHS recognizes the  efforts of the DSGMC’s President Manjinder Singh Sirsa and his team for meeting with Dilip Walse-Patil Ji, the Minister of Home Affairs in Maharashtra, and Director General of Police. 
In addition UNITED SIKHS Humanitarian Aid team has been assisting with groceries, ration and daily needs to the families of the Sikhs arrested.  Many of those arrested were the sole wage-earners of their families.  Because of their four-month absence, their families are struggling to make ends meet. These provisions will assist the families until they are reunited.  
The arrests stemmed from the Nanded Holla Mohalla on March 29, 2021, the peaceful and pious day of Holla Mohalla, the traditional Halla Bol procession was stopped by the Maharashtra police due to Covid-19 restrictions. Barriers were placed and congregants were confined to limited areas. However, the large number of crowds broke the barriers and came out of the Gurudwara premises.  This resulted in a clash between the policemen and the group of Sikhs which, unfortunately, left several police officers wounded.  
Following the incident, the Nanded Police indiscriminately arrested the Sikhs under charges of attempt to murder and assault or criminal force to daunt public servants. In the past few months, police have registered around 300-400 unidentified and 61 Identified FIRs against the Sikhs under sections 307 (Attempt to Murder), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty, and 324 (an offence of voluntarily causing harm by dangerous weapons). 28 Sikhs were arrested, 4 of whom were minors.
There have been reports of police abuse during their arrests and detention. Their family members assert that many of those arrested weren’t even present at the site of the incident and are being capriciously detained by the police.  Also, many have claimed that the police violated their privacy and religious freedoms. The police even confiscated sacred, historic shastars.
Advocate R.G. Paralkar, Advocate Aman Pal Singh Kamthekar and Advocate Sarabjit Singh- represent the UNITED SIKHS legal team in the cases of 24 arrested Sikhs. Advocate Navkiran Singh has been the advisor to the legal team. The UNITED SIKHS legal team successfully argued that the minors and 14 Sikhs had been detained under false charges.  
UNITED SIKHS will continue advocating for those remaining in custody until we are able to secure their release and everyone is reunited with their families and communities.
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