Amritsar-Punjab BJP’s newly appointed President Sardar Keval Singh Dhillon and BJP National General Secretary Shri Tarun Chugh, who has been elected to the Rajya Sabha, were warmly welcomed in Amritsar by Punjab BJP spokesperson Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala and former BJP District President Sardar Hardyal Singh Aulakh.
On the occasion, Prof. Khiala and S. Aulakh accompanied Sardar Keval Singh Dhillon and Shri Tarun Chugh in paying obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Shri Durgiana Mandir, Shri Ram Tirath, and Jallianwala Bagh. They offered prayers for Punjab’s prosperity, peace, harmony, and the welfare of all.
Prof. Khiala and S. Aulakh stated that BJP workers and members of the public showed tremendous enthusiasm during the visit of Sardar Keval Singh Dhillon and Shri Tarun Chugh to Amritsar. The response reflected growing confidence in the BJP’s leadership and its emergence as a strong political alternative in Punjab.
During the visit, extensive discussions were held on the serious challenges facing Punjab, including rising unemployment, drug abuse, gangsterism, deteriorating law and order, lack of investment, extortion threats faced by traders and industrialists, stalled development projects, the government’s failure in handling sacrilege cases, and key issues concerning the Sikh Panth. Strengthening Hindu-Sikh communal harmony was also a major point of discussion.
Commenting on the controversy involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the developments following forensic findings regarding a video allegedly showing disrespect towards an image depicting the Ten Sikh Gurus, Punjab BJP spokesperson Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala stated that Bhagwant Mann’s challenge to the directives issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib and his disregard for Panthic sentiments reflected the insensitive approach of Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal towards Sikh concerns.
He said that during the 2014 elections, the Aam Aadmi Party had hurt Sikh sentiments by printing its broom election symbol alongside an image of Sri Darbar Sahib on the cover of its election manifesto. Referring to concerns raised at that time by then Punjab AAP President Sardar Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Prof. Khiala alleged that Kejriwal had responded by saying, “What difference would it make if you were expelled from Sikhism?” He added that Bhagwant Mann is now openly reflecting the same anti-Sikh mindset in an attempt to retain his position.
Prof. Khiala further stated that matters relating to the Sikh faith and Sikh institutions require humility, respect, and accountability, whereas the present government’s approach has been entirely contrary to these principles. He said that Chief Minister Mann has hurt the sentiments of Sikh communities and Guru Nanak devotees across the world. Therefore, the government must ensure registration of a case and conduct a transparent and impartial investigation so that the truth is brought before the public.
He emphasized that issues involving religious sentiments should be handled with sensitivity and in accordance with the law, rather than being turned into matters of political ego.”If Bhagwant Mann genuinely cared about the sentiments and emotions of the Guru Nanak Naam-Leva Sangat, he would have resigned from his office by now,” said Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala.
The leaders also stressed the need to communicate more effectively to the people the historic initiatives and developmental measures undertaken by the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the welfare of Punjab, Punjabi culture, and the Sikh community. They emphasized strengthening the BJP as a robust political force in Punjab.
They stated that Punjab stands at a crucial juncture and that its people are looking for strong leadership capable of freeing the state from crime, drug abuse, unemployment, corruption, and divisive politics while steering it towards development, nationalism, communal harmony, and good governance. The BJP, they said, remains fully committed to this responsibility and will work for the progress and prosperity of Punjab by taking every section of society along.