CHANDIGARH — Demonstrators from the Aam Aadmi Party staged protests across Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Bathinda on Tuesday, targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party over the presence of its parliamentarians at a memorial event for late 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar. Party leaders strongly condemned BJP MPs Ramvir Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia, and Kamaljeet Sehrawat for attending the event, maintaining that the action deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community and families of riot victims.
In Amritsar, party workers attempted to surround the residence of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, prompting police forces to set up heavy barricading. Addressing protesters near the site, AAP MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur questioned how elected leaders could pay respects to a convicted figure in the 1984 tragedy. “How can BJP leaders honour a person whose name remains associated with the 1984 massacre?” Jeevan Jyot Kaur stated, asserting that the party must take strict action against the attending parliamentarians.
Elected representatives across other districts expressed similar indignation during synchronized public demonstrations. In Jalandhar, AAP MLA Balkar Singh affirmed that senior BJP leaders attending the memorial revealed their stance on justice for victimized families. In Ludhiana, MLA Daljit Singh Grewal declared that citizens in Punjab would not tolerate actions that minimize the historic pain endured by riot-affected households.
Demonstrators in Bathinda raised slogans demanding immediate organizational accountability from the central BJP leadership. AAP office-bearers affirmed that the ruling state party will continue to advocate for the dignity and justice of 1984 victim families, maintaining that disrespecting community sentiments will face continued political opposition.
