Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu on Friday launched a sharp attack on both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the two parties share a similar attitude towards minorities, particularly the Sikh community, and have failed to understand the pain of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Pannu recalled the reaction of Congress leaders following the death of Sajjan Kumar, who was convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He claimed that Congress leader Deepender Hooda had referred to Sajjan Kumar as his “ideal,” though he later appeared to retract the statement. At that time, BJP leaders had strongly criticized both Hooda and the Congress over the remarks.

However, Pannu alleged that the BJP’s own stand has now come under scrutiny. He pointed out that three BJP Members of Parliament — Kamaljeet Sehrawat from West Delhi, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri from South Delhi, and Yogender Chandolia from North-West Delhi — attended Sajjan Kumar’s final religious ceremony.

Taking a swipe at both national parties, Pannu said that leaders who never visited or shared the grief of Sikh families displaced and affected by the 1984 violence were now expressing sympathy over the death of a person convicted by the courts.

He asserted that the conduct of both Congress and BJP has exposed what he described as their similar approach towards minorities.

Pannu further stated that the issue has revealed the true stance of both parties before the country and reinforced concerns within the Sikh community regarding justice and sensitivity towards the victims of the 1984 riots.