Punjab: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Tuesday staged major protests in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda against three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Ramveer Bidhuri, Yogendra Chandolia and Kamaljit Sehrawat attending the tribute meeting in memory of 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar. Strongly condemning the participation of BJP MPs, AAP leaders said that the 1984 massacre is a wound that cannot be healed for Sikh families and paying tribute to Sajjan Kumar has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.
Demand for action from BJP against all three MPs
AAP demanded that BJP take action against its three MPs. The party questioned that how can elected representatives holding responsible government posts visit the house of a person convicted in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and pay homage to him?
In Amritsar, AAP workers protested outside the house of Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh and tried to surround his house. The police had deployed heavy barricades and security forces, so that the protesters could not reach the house.
Statement of MLA Jeevan Jot Kaur
Addressing the protesters, AAP MLA Jeevan Jot Kaur said, "The 1984 massacre is a deep and never-healing wound for Sikh families. Both BJP and Congress have time and again worked against the interests of Punjab and the Sikh community. How can BJP leaders honor a person whose name is linked to the 1984 massacre?"
Jeevan Jot Kaur further said, "The presence of BJP leaders in the memory of Sajjan Kumar is very sad for the families of the victims. The families who lost their loved ones are still suffering from the pain of that tragic incident and their sentiments should be respected."
Statement of MLA Balkar Singh in Jalandhar
AAP MLA Balkar Singh in Jalandhar said, "The Ghallughara massacre of 1984 has left very painful memories in the minds of the Sikh community. Innocent Sikhs were brutally murdered and their families have been suffering for decades. At such a time, the presence of senior BJP leaders in the memory of Sajjan Kumar shows what is the stand of BJP on the issue of providing justice to the victims."
AAP MLA said, "BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal should not try to do politics on the wounds of Punjab. The pain of the families of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cannot be used for political gains."
In Ludhiana, AAP leaders, MLAs, councilors, chairman, directors and party officials protested against the participation of three BJP MPs in the funeral/tribute ceremony of Sajjan Kumar.
Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Grewal said, "Punjab is the land of gurus, saints and martyrs. Punjabis will not tolerate any attempt to hurt the pain of Sikh families affected by the 1984 genocide."
Further statement of Daljit Singh Grewal
Daljeet Singh Grewal said, "The involvement of BJP MPs in paying tribute to Sajjan Kumar has further broken the hearts of the families of the victims. BJP and Congress have joined hands politically against Punjab, but the people of Punjab will never accept such politics."
In Bathinda, AAP workers protested and raised loud slogans against the BJP, accusing the party of being close to people linked to the 1984 massacre.
AAP workers demanded that BJP take strict action against Ramveer Bidhuri, Yogendra Chandolia and Kamaljit Sehrawat and respect the sentiments of the Sikh community.
AAP leaders declare to stand with the victims
AAP leaders said, "The 1984 anti-Sikh riots still leave unresolved wounds for thousands of families." "Aam Aadmi Party will continue to raise its voice for justice and respect for the victims and their families. Any attempt to ignore their pain and feelings will be strongly opposed."
AAP Punjab leaders reiterated that the party will stand like a rock with the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and their families and will continue to fight for justice, mercy and accountability.