AAP protests outside Congress offices in Punjab over Partap Bajwa’ s remarks against minister | India News
Hoshiarpur: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged protests outside district Congress committee offices across Punjab on Friday, reacting to Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa’s alleged comments against the state minister. Harbhajan Singh.Led by party leaders including ministers and MLAs, AAP members staged protests and raised slogans condemning Bajwa’s comments. Protests were also held outside the houses of Congress leaders at several places.In Hoshiarpur, some party MLAs including Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rauri attended the protest.The ruling party even arranged for a wedding band to play during the protest as a symbolic protest against Bajwa’s alleged derogatory remarks.Addressing a rally in Hoshiarpur, AAP leaders described Bajwa’s comments as “unfortunate and unacceptable”, demanding an apology from him. They said they would continue to oppose him on the issue during the upcoming budget session of the Punjab Assembly.Bajwa accused minister Harbhajan Singh of corruption and said the Congress would hold him accountable if they formed the government. “Zehra pehle band bajanda reha, ehda band asin bhajavange (who was the band player will be held responsible by us), Bajwa said, referring to Singh.In response, Harbhajan Singh criticized Bajwa, asserting that it was shameful to mock an honest, hard-earned livelihood. He mentioned that his father was a bandmaster who educated his children through hard work.Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission Chairman Jasveer Singh has taken suo motu notice of Bajwa’s comments. Bajwa’s lawyer said on Wednesday that the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly (LOP) did not make any objectionable remarks against Harbhajan Singh.Bajwa’s denial came through his counsel Arvind Kumar Sachdeva, who appeared before the chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission in a case against Harbhajan Singh for his alleged offensive remarks.Meanwhile, speaking to reporters during the protest in Hoshiarpur, Rouri said that such language does not suit the LOP. “In a democratic system, it is not appropriate to comment on one’s background or profession. Such language has no place in Punjab,” he said.Ruri added that Bajwa’s comments hurt the sentiments of working class people. He highlighted that Harbhajan Singh came from a humble background and achieved success through hard work, asserting that disrespecting any profession goes against the culture of Punjab.“The band is traditionally associated with celebration and dignity of labour. Targeting someone for such acts reflects a narrow mindedness,” he said.Ruri also said that political opposition should be based on issues and principles rather than personal or derogatory references.In Ludhiana, AAP protested outside Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Waring’s office, with minister Hardeep Singh Mundian leading the protest. Mundian condemned the language used by Congress leaders.AAP protesters staged protests in other areas including Sri Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Bathinda, Amritsar and Jalandhar, further highlighting their discontent.
