Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s alleged remarks about Sikh Gurus in the Assembly have created a major political controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party staged a strong protest in Hoshiarpur on this issue. BJP workers demonstrated against Atishi at Ghantaghar Chowk in Hoshiarpur and burnt her effigy. On this occasion, senior BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna said that the Sikh community and the country will never tolerate such language used for the Gurus.
Khanna said that while the entire country is celebrating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur and remembering the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, AAP leaders are denigrating the Gurus. He demanded that the Aam Aadmi Party apologize to the entire nation for this and that such leaders be immediately expelled from the party.
Demonstration in Moga:
Badhni Kalan (Manoj): Simultaneously, a protest was held in Moga against AAP leader Atishi. The Bharatiya Janata Party protested in Badhni Kalan and burned an effigy of Atishi. Speaking on the occasion, BJP General Secretary S.P. Mukhtiar Singh Sandhu said that Atishi’s statement about the Sikh Gurus reflects her utter ignorance and narrow-mindedness. He said that the sacrifices, teachings, dignity, and respect of the Sikh Gurus are a line for the Sikh community, and no one should dare to cross it.
He alleged that Atishi’s absurd and provocative statement was a reprehensible attempt to gain political advantage by playing on religious sentiments. He clarified that the Aam Aadmi Party’s silence on this matter indicates that the party is tacitly supporting a viewpoint that is unacceptable under any circumstances. SP Mukhtiar Singh Sandhu demanded that the Aam Aadmi Party take immediate action against Atishi and that she should publicly and unconditionally apologize to the Sikh community. He said that failing to do so would be interpreted as the party’s agreement with this vile statement.
He appealed to the people of Punjab to socially boycott every leader and party that disrespects Sikh Gurus, so that no one dares to question Sikh morality in the future. He stated in two parts that those who disrespect Sikhism will neither be forgiven nor forgotten. Finally, he reiterated that the Punjab BJP stands firmly on every front to protect Sikh honor, tradition, and morality, and that no compromise will be made on this issue. Present on the occasion were Vinay Kumar, former District President, Vicky Sitara, General Secretary, Mandal President Happy Dhesi, Badhani Kalan Mandal President, Amrik Singh Mandal President Ajit Wal, Malkit Singh, former Sarpanch Lohara, Lakhbir Singh, President, Vinod Kumar Bilaspur, senior leader Pradeep Kumar Ladi Badhani, Soni Bhatti Mandal President Nihal Singh Wala, and others