AAP Ministers and Workers Confront Water Cannons in Chandigarh Over Alleged Casteist Slur
In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionaries and workers, led by cabinet ministers, were met with water cannons by Chandigarh Police on Saturday as they attempted to march towards the residence of Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa. The protest was sparked by Bajwa's alleged objectionable remarks against Punjab PWD minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, which AAP has termed a "casteist slur" and a direct insult to the Dalit community.
Symbolic Protest and Police Action
The AAP workers, in a symbolic retort, arranged a traditional brass band (band-baja) to highlight the nature of Bajwa's comments. The protest began from the MLA's hostel in Sector 4, where heavy police deployment was in place to prevent the group from proceeding to Bajwa's Sector 8 residence. When AAP members tried to breach the barricades, police deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Subsequently, Chandigarh Police detained several AAP leaders, including ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Mohinder Bhagat. The protest was led by ETO, his wife Surinder Kaur, Cheema, Balbir Singh, Bhagat, Ravjot Singh, and MLAs Amansher Singh, Kuljit Singh Randhawa, Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Neena Mittal, Labh Singh Ugoke, and Inderjit Kaur. AAP has demanded that Bajwa tender an apology for his remark.
Background of the Controversial Remarks
The controversy stems from a viral video of a Congress rally in Jandiala on Friday, where Bajwa referred to Harbhajan Singh as a "band vajaun wala" (band player). He added that Congress would take him to task, stating "ehda band asin vajaavange" (we will play his band) when they return to power. AAP leadership condemned this as derogatory and caste-based, sparking the protest.
Emotional Response from Harbhajan Singh ETO
Addressing the protesters, ETO delivered an emotional speech defending his family's honor. "Mocking someone's father's source of livelihood is shameful," he said. "My father was a band master who educated his children through sheer hard work. I studied in a government school and reached here on the basis of my own merit. Bajwa sahib is saying that 'we will play the band of a band player's son.' We worked hard. This insult is not just mine, but of every poor family that educates its children through honest earnings."
He alleged that Bajwa could not digest the fact that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's cabinet includes six Dalit ministers from ordinary backgrounds. ETO, who is pursuing a PhD from Panjab University, highlighted AAP's education initiatives, noting there are 163 government schools in his constituency and that the party has launched an education revolution to bridge the gap between children from poor and rich families.
Broader Political Accusations
Targeting state Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, ETO criticized the opposition's stance on law and order, accusing Congress leaders of issuing threats in their rallies. Minister Harpal Singh Cheema added that opposition parties, including Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP, promote dynastic politics dominated by a few families. "AAP broke this tradition by bringing educated youth from ordinary homes into the assembly and the cabinet," he asserted.
Minister Balbir Singh accused Congress leaders of having an "anti-Dalit and anti-working-class mindset." In a video message, Surinder Kaur, wife of Harbhajan Singh, also criticized both Bajwa and Warring for their comments, amplifying the call for accountability.
This incident underscores the deepening political rift in Punjab, with AAP positioning itself as a champion of social justice against what it perceives as elitist and casteist politics from traditional parties.
