CHANDIGARH — Widespread demonstrations broke out across multiple urban centers in Punjab on Tuesday as AAP activists protested against the BJP after three of its sitting MPs attended the tribute service of 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar. Protesters in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Bathinda called for accountability and formal action against MPs Ramvir Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia, and Kamaljeet Sehrawat.
Security forces deployed extra personnel and barricades in Amritsar to prevent protesters from reaching the home of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh. Addressing the gathering, AAP MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur declared that honoring an individual convicted in connection with the 1984 violence reopens unhealed wounds for affected families. “The participation of BJP leaders in Sajjan Kumar’s tribute is deeply hurtful to the families of the victims,” Jeevan Jyot Kaur maintained, stating that public figures must show sensitivity to historical tragedies.
Party representatives in Jalandhar and Ludhiana asserted that political organizations should refrain from playing politics with the grief of Sikh families. AAP MLA Balkar Singh maintained that the presence of senior leaders at the memorial demonstrates a disregard for the long struggle for justice. Echoing these sentiments, Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Grewal stated that Punjab’s populace expects respect for martyrs and historic memory rather than political convenience.
Protesters in Bathinda reiterated calls for public accountability, demanding that the national BJP leadership penalize the three MPs involved. AAP representatives affirmed that the party stands firmly with the families affected by the 1984 riots and will continue to challenge any political actions that disregard their sentiments.
