Chandigarh, June 24: A recent public gathering in Punjab has become the center of a political dispute, with local leaders claiming that senior Scheduled Caste politicians were denied proper stage seating. The controversy arose during a visit by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, leading critics to question the organizational culture and priorities of the national party.
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asserted that the episode clearly demonstrates a discriminatory mindset towards workers and economically weaker sections. “The episode clearly demonstrates the BJP’s discriminatory mindset towards Dalits, workers and economically weaker sections. The BJP only respects a privileged and elite class,” Cheema declared. He noted that former Union Ministers Vijay Sampla and Som Parkash were kept in the audience section while other top leaders occupied the stage.
The discussion also turned to broader social safety concerns across the country, utilizing national data to frame the argument. Addressing the media alongside AAP Punjab SC Wing Chairman Gurpreet Singh GP, Cheema cited official records to argue that safety assurances are falling short. “This reflects the BJP government’s failure to protect Dalits and demonstrates the party’s deep-rooted prejudice against marginalized communities,” he maintained, linking the local incident to wider national trends.
With the Scheduled Caste community forming approximately 34% of the demographic fabric of Punjab, the incident is being framed as a pivotal moment for voter sentiment. The ruling state leadership believes this event has brought underlying tensions to the forefront for the public. Cheema asserted that the people of Punjab will give a fitting reply to such discriminatory politics, adding that the state will stand firm against actions perceived as anti-farmer or anti-Dalit.
