Ludhiana, Aug. 16 -- What was meant to be an occasion of honour turned into a moment of humiliation as families of freedom fighters and martyrs walked out of the district level Independence Day function at Punjab Agricultural University on Thursday before the event commenced. In an unprecedented show of anger, they discarded the mementos and gifts given by the government, leaving them at the venue to mark their protest.

Chanting slogans against the government and the district administration, the aggrieved families accused the authorities of dishonouring their sacrifices by failing to provide even the most basic arrangements. "There were not enough chairs, the tent could not shield people from the scorching sun, and those sitting since mo...