Chandigarh: Former Punjab minister and MLA Pargat Singh has launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of sidelining the legacy of Bhagat Singh in its latest youth policy decisions.In a statement posted on social media, Pargat Singh alleged that the AAP government, which frequently invokes Shaheed Bhagat Singh for political messaging, has now discontinued the annual “Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Award.” He further claimed that the revolutionary icon’s name has also been removed from the newly introduced youth policy, raising serious concerns about the government’s commitment to honoring his legacy.
The Congress leader pointed out that during the recent Assembly session, members of Indian National Congress had questioned the government on this issue. However, according to him, the response from the treasury benches failed to justify why such a significant recognition associated with Bhagat Singh had been scrapped.
Pargat Singh termed the move “deeply disappointing,” arguing that Bhagat Singh is not just a historical figure but a symbol of youth inspiration, sacrifice, and resistance against injustice. He said removing his name from key youth initiatives sends a wrong message to the younger generation of Punjab.
The controversy has sparked a political debate in the state, with opposition parties accusing the ruling government of using Bhagat Singh’s image selectively for political gains while neglecting meaningful efforts to preserve and promote his ideals in governance and policy.
As of now, the AAP government has not issued a detailed clarification regarding the discontinuation of the award or the changes in the youth policy, but the issue is expected to remain a flashpoint in Punjab’s political discourse in the coming days.