Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-Charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday questioned the silence of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, SGPC leadership, senior Akali leaders, Congress leaders and BJP leaders over allegations levelled by a Bahrain-based woman against Akali leader Amarjit Singh Chawla and others.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu asked why the Akali Dal leadership had not publicly responded to the matter. He specifically questioned Sukhbir Singh Badal’s silence and asked why the party’s top leadership had not come forward to clarify its position.
Referring to the case, Pannu said an FIR had been registered following the woman’s complaint and that the matter had been under discussion for several days. He noted that Amarjit Singh Chawla had resigned from SGPC membership and other positions, but questioned whether the resignation had formally been accepted.
Pannu further stated that a case had been registered against Chawla at Anandpur Sahib Police Station under sections related to rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation.
Pannu also raised questions for SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, asking why the organisation had not acted with the urgency expected in such cases. He argued that if it is customary to inform the Sikh congregation about individuals facing serious allegations through notices displayed outside gurdwaras, then such measures should be implemented without delay.
The AAP leader also questioned former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, asking why she and other Akali leaders had not spoken on the issue. He claimed that the complainant had approached several Akali leaders seeking security and support, and questioned why she was allegedly advised to pursue legal action instead of being provided security.
Pannu further questioned the role of Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, alleging that he had publicly defended Amarjit Singh Chawla and dismissed questions regarding the circumstances under which the Bahrain-based woman came to Punjab. He asked how Valtoha appeared to have detailed knowledge about the woman and her background.
Seeking answers from Youth Akali Dal president Sarabjit Singh Jhinjer, Pannu said the Akali leadership should explain how the woman arrived in Punjab and allegedly stayed in a sarai for several months.
The AAP leader also targeted Congress leaders, particularly Sukhpal Singh Khaira, accusing him of remaining silent on the issue despite frequently criticising the Punjab government. He questioned why Khaira had not issued any statement despite the seriousness of the allegations.
Pannu similarly questioned Bikram Singh Majithia, asking why a leader who often comments on public issues had chosen not to speak on the matter. He also sought responses from Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, asking whether the alleged incident involving a woman in Punjab was not significant enough to warrant their attention.
Turning his focus to the BJP, Pannu questioned the silence of senior party leaders, including Sunil Jakhar and Manpreet Singh Badal. He asked why BJP leaders, who have been active on various public issues, had not issued statements regarding the case. He further questioned whether any political understanding between the Akali Dal and BJP could be a reason behind the silence.
Pannu said that while the silence of the Badal family could be viewed through a political lens, he found it difficult to understand why opposition parties, including the Congress and BJP, had not commented on the issue. He added that Punjabis and members of the Sikh community across the world were observing the response of political leaders and questioning their silence.
Concluding his remarks, Pannu alleged that the Akali Dal leadership could not ignore the issue by remaining silent. He claimed that pretending the matter does not exist would not make it disappear and urged political leaders across party lines to publicly clarify their stand on the allegations.
