CHANDIGARH, MAY 11 — Protests erupted throughout Punjab on Sunday as Aam Aadmi Party members rallied against the alleged weaponization of the Enforcement Directorate and CBI by the central government. The statewide agitation focused on recent federal actions against Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, which party officials described as politically motivated.
From Patiala to Hoshiarpur, AAP karyakartas gheraoed BJP headquarters to voice their opposition to the raids. The demonstrations reflect an escalating tension between the state and central governments regarding the independence of constitutional institutions. Party leaders at these rallies maintained that the central government is targeting Punjab because of the state’s resistance to federal pressure.
“The BJP’s politics revolves around threats, raids, and coercion,” Dr. Balbir Singh affirmed during a march in Patiala. He noted that the central agencies appear to focus exclusively on those who remain in the opposition, while investigations often stall for those who align with the ruling party at the Center.
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema echoed these sentiments during his address to supporters, stating that investigative bodies are being used as a “reach-out” tool for political vendetta. He asserted that the current administration in New Delhi is attempting to spread fear through coercive actions because it cannot win through the democratic process.
“Punjab’s people are watching how constitutional institutions are being misused,” Cheema declared. He stated that the Center began by targeting Rajya Sabha MPs and has now shifted its focus to Cabinet Ministers in an effort to crush any political force that refuses to bow.
Protesters at various sites affirmed their commitment to protecting the state’s autonomy. In several districts, the burning of effigies symbolized the party’s rejection of what they described as dictatorial tactics. AAP representatives affirmed that these public demonstrations would persist as long as federal agencies are used to target the leadership of the Punjab government.
