In a significant political protest in Punjab, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers staged a strong demonstration in Jalandhar, targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. The protest, centered at the prominent Company Bagh Chowk, saw participants burn an effigy of Atishi, accusing her of showing disrespect towards Sikh Gurus and wounding the religious sentiments of the Punjabi community, particularly Sikhs.
Protest Led by Senior BJP Leader Manoranjan Kalia
The agitation was spearheaded by former Punjab minister and senior BJP figure, Manoranjan Kalia. Addressing the gathering, Kalia articulated the core grievance behind the protest. He asserted that the actions and statements from AAP leadership had deeply offended the Sikh community. The primary charge was against Atishi for allegedly making remarks perceived as disrespectful to the Sikh Gurus.
Kalia did not limit his criticism to Atishi alone. He also brought up a purported video of current Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that had been circulating widely on social media platforms. Kalia claimed that this viral video content also contributed to hurting the sentiments of the people of Punjab, further fueling the anger that led to the public demonstration.
Broader Allegations Against AAP's Political Strategy
Expanding on his critique of the AAP, Kalia referenced comments made by another senior AAP leader, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Kalia alleged that Sisodia had instructed AAP workers to adopt a "divisive agenda" employing tactics of "saam, daam, dand, bhed" (a phrase referring to various means of persuasion and coercion) solely to ensure the party's return to power. This accusation was presented as evidence of AAP's alleged willingness to engage in divisive politics for electoral gain.
The protest at Company Bagh Chowk was a visible and symbolic act of political condemnation. The burning of the effigy served as a stark representation of the BJP's accusation that AAP leaders were undermining communal harmony and disrespecting core religious values for political purposes.
Political Repercussions and Community Sentiment
This incident highlights the ongoing and intense political friction in Punjab between the BJP and the ruling AAP. Accusations of hurting religious sentiments, especially those of the Sikh community, are particularly sensitive in the state and can have significant political repercussions. The BJP's public demonstration is a clear attempt to position itself as a defender of Sikh religious pride and Punjabi "asmita" (identity) against the AAP.
The event underscores how social media content, like the viral video of CM Bhagwant Mann mentioned by Kalia, can quickly escalate into real-world political confrontations. For the AAP, which governs both Punjab and Delhi, such protests pose a challenge to its narrative and its relationship with key voter bases. The party is yet to issue an official response to the specific allegations made during this protest in Jalandhar.
As political temperatures rise, this effigy-burning event in a major Punjab city signals a hardening of stance by the BJP's state unit, setting the stage for further confrontations on issues of faith, identity, and governance in the run-up to future elections.
