Oppn parties slam BJP city prez statement on Pbi

Times News NetworkChandigarh: All opposition political parties on Thursday slammed Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra for his alleged remarks over Punjabi. While on one side Congress workers, led by its youth leader Sachin Galav, held a protest on the issue, other opposition parties like the AAP and SAD said the statement of BJP leader was unacceptable as it was against the dignity of Punjabis.While holding the protest, Congress protestors marched towards BJP’s Chandigarh office, but were stopped by the police in between. The protestors also burnt the effigy of Malhotra.While talking to media, Galav said, “We held a peaceful protest outside the BJP office in Sector 33 against the highly offensive and disgraceful statement allegedly made by BJP state president Jitender Pal Malhotra referring to Punjabis as ‘Bloody Fools.’

Such a statement is not only an insult to Punjabis, but also an attack on the pride, dignity, and rich culture of Punjab. It reflects a deeply disrespectful attitude towards the people of Punjab and raises serious questions about the mindset of those holding responsible positions.

”The local unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also strongly condemned the alleged remarks made by Malhotra. They said it was against Punjabis and has demanded that the BJP immediately remove him from his position.

The AAP said, “This is not an isolated incident. BJP and its leaders have repeatedly insulted Punjabis over the years. At times, attempts have been made to defame Punjabis by labelling them as ‘Khalistanis,’ while on other occasions derogatory language has been used against them.

Such actions reflect the BJP’s negative mindset towards Punjab and Punjabi identity.”The SAD Chandigarh president, Charanjit Singh, also issued a strong rebuttal to the recent statement made by Malhotra, condemning his choice of words regarding the Punjabi community.

“It was incredibly disheartening to come across such a statement from a leader holding a responsible position. We would like to clearly remind Malhotra that Punjabis are not ‘bloody fools.’ While Punjabis are known globally for being deeply emotional and warm-hearted people, they are nobody’s fools,” Singh said.Box:Not only opposition, BJP’s own elected councillor Kuljeet Singh Sandhu lambasted its party’s president for his statement.

Sandhu said he strongly condemned the statements and stance of Chandigarh BJP president Jatinder Pal Malhotra against the interests of Chandigarh villages and the Punjabi community. He has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate notice of the matter.Box:Reacting over the opposition parties, mainly Congress party’s, criticism, BJP’s Chandigarh unit president Jatinder Pal Malhotra said that Congress has deliberately twisted and misrepresented his remarks to mislead the public. Malhotra clarified that he himself belongs to Punjab and has immense respect for Punjab and every Punjabi. He stated that the video being circulated by Congress does not show the complete context of his statement. He explained that the term “Bloody Fool” was not used for any individual, community, or Punjabi society, but rather in reference to himself.