On way to holy town, cattle enter college, create mess

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, November 15

Nearly 150 girls studying at Bebe Nanak University College, Fattu Dhinga, were in for a shock on Friday morning when they saw as many as 3,000 cattle grazing on their campus ground.

The cattle are a part of the herd managed by a Baba Bakala-based Nihang jatha that is on the way to Sultanpur Lodhi to pay obeisance post the just-concluded 550th Gurpurb celebrations.

The college staff and the district administration spent almost the entire day convincing Baba Bhagirath and the 25-odd Nihangs to vacate the campus, go back to their dera and not enter Sultanpur Lodhi, located about 15 km from the campus.

The teachers, however, lamented that the plantation on the campus damaged and the periphery of the college was covered with dung.

Shocked, girls said, “We got scared as the cows were standing just next to the gate. We held each other’s hand and quickly entered into the compound. While it is a routine for us to sit outside during breaks, today we could not dare to come out.”

Meanwhile, Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Cheema said, “We ensured that the girls had a safe exit after the day got over. The college has been closed tomorrow.”

Kapurthala DC DPS Kharbanda said, “We remained engaged in talks with the Baba and his followers since morning. He was adamant to go to Sultanpur Lodhi but we have told him that he won’t be allowed to enter the town. We can’t let our efforts to spruce up the town go waste. We have already seen the destruction and mess that the cattle have done in the college. We have even told the police to register a case against the jatha for trespassing. Finally, the Baba has agreed to vacate the campus tomorrow and go back, but the administration and the police will still keep a close watch on him.”