Punjab Uproar Over BJP Leader's Remarks, Apology Issued

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress, and the SAD have hit out at the BJP, alleging that the saffron party's Chandigarh unit president, Jatinder Pal Malhotra, made an "anti-Punjabi" remark and insulted the Punjabi community.

The AAP's Chandigarh unit on Friday protested and tried to gherao the city BJP office here, but police stopped them by setting up barricades. The protesting AAP leaders and workers raised slogans against Malhotra and the BJP and also burned an effigy of the BJP leader.

AAP leader Yogesh Dhingra, who was part of the protest, said, "Chandigarh BJP chief's statement calling Punjabis 'emotional bloody fools' is an insult to the entire Punjabi community."

They said Punjabis have made the greatest sacrifices for the country's independence, guarded its borders, and filled the nation's granaries, but "insulting Punjabis is utterly reprehensible".

The protesters said the people of Punjab know how to respond democratically to those who hurt the honour of Punjabis, adding that if the BJP truly respects Punjab and Punjabis, it should distance itself from the statement and take immediate action against the leader in question.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring demanded that the BJP apologise for its Chandigarh unit chief's remarks. "By calling Punjabis emotional, bloody fools, the BJP has once again exposed its thinking towards Punjab and Punjabiyat. Punjabis are certainly emotional, but not fools. Standing up for our self-respect and rights is our identity," Warring said.

He said Punjabis are always at the forefront -- whether safeguarding the country's borders or meeting the nation's food needs -- and always stand at the forefront in every crisis.

He said the "insult" to the community cannot be tolerated.

Shiromani Akali Dal's Chandigarh unit slammed the BJP leader, asking him to apologise for his remark.

Malhotra, who is also a Punjabi, said the word was not used for the community and accused the rival parties of circulating clipped videos of the sports event to target him.

"However, even if anyone felt hurt by my comments, I feel sorry. I was referring to myself at the event and not Punjabis," Malhotra told the media here.