Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sri Chamkaur Sahib Halqa In-charge Jasvir Singh Garhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress leadership over the alleged assault on Dalit leader Ranjit Singh Tarkhanmajra at Congress Bhawan in Chandigarh on October 27, accusing the party of failing to ensure justice for the victim.
Addressing a press conference, Garhi questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Barinder Dhillon over their response to the incident. He said Punjab has nearly 35 per cent Scheduled Caste population, the highest among Indian states, yet a Dalit leader allegedly assaulted inside his own party's headquarters has continued to wait for justice.
Garhi claimed that despite repeated requests, a Daily Diary Report (DDR) in the matter was registered only around 11 pm. He also identified Manjeet Sharma as a witness to the incident, saying he could testify about what happened to Ranjit Singh.
The AAP leader said his party raised the issue through press conferences on October 30 and November 3 after Chandigarh Police allegedly failed to take appropriate action. He added that AAP had also announced a gherao of Congress Bhawan on November 4 to demand justice.
Questioning the Congress leadership's response, Garhi said the party issued a show-cause notice to Barinder Dhillon on the evening of November 3, asking him to respond within three days. However, he questioned how Dhillon, who was facing questions over the incident, was subsequently seen sharing the stage with Rahul Gandhi.
"If Rahul Gandhi considers the Constitution his greatest commitment and carries a copy of it everywhere, he must explain how a person facing questions over an assault on a Dalit worker was allowed to share his stage," Garhi said.
Targeting former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Garhi alleged that Channi stood by Dhillon and travelled with him in his car during the Sangrur rally despite the controversy. He said Channi's conduct exposed a contradiction between his claims of representing the Dalit community and his response when a Dalit leader allegedly needed support.
Referring to an incident in Nurpur Bedi, Garhi said members of the Dalit community had gathered during preparations for a Congress bicycle rally and raised slogans against Dhillon and the party. He urged people to watch the video of the incident, alleging that Dhillon's supporters made objectionable gestures towards members of the community.
Garhi also raised questions about the alleged involvement of Dhillon in sand-mining activities and claimed that money from the business was reaching Channi. He further questioned the presence of nearly 2,000 bicycles, allegedly worth around ₹1 crore, at the former Chief Minister's residence and demanded that Channi disclose the source of funds used to purchase them.
Invoking Articles 14, 15 and 17 of the Constitution, Garhi said the incident raised serious questions about equality before the law, prohibition of caste-based discrimination and the abolition of untouchability. He questioned why a Dalit worker was allegedly subjected to such treatment inside Congress Bhawan and why the police had failed to ensure accountability.
The AAP leader also criticised the BJP-led Chandigarh administration, alleging that Chandigarh Police had not acted effectively in the case despite the seriousness of the allegations.
He said the BJP must explain why its administration had failed to ensure action.
Garhi further alleged that 11 days had passed since Congress issued the show-cause notice to Dhillon, but no satisfactory outcome had emerged. He contrasted Congress leaders' Diwali celebrations at Dhillon's residence with AAP leaders' visit to Ranjit Singh's home to light a Diwali lamp in solidarity with him.
"The Congress leaders celebrated Diwali at Barinder Dhillon's residence, while AAP leaders visited Ranjit Singh's home to stand in solidarity with him. The contrast reflects the priorities of the two parties," he said.
Garhi also accused Channi of remaining silent on earlier occasions involving alleged derogatory remarks against Dalit representatives and threats directed at Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO.
Concluding his remarks, Garhi demanded that Dhillon answer questions over his alleged conduct and that the Congress leadership explain the delay in addressing the matter. He also urged Chandigarh Police to take action, warning that the people of Punjab would not accept what he described as selective commitment to constitutional values and the rights of the Dalit community.
