Chandigarh :
Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a unique protest outside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha after Partap Singh Bajwa, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, allegedly made derogatory remarks against Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO during a rally in Jandiala Guru.
Led by Harbhajan Singh ETO, several AAP MLAs and party leaders arrived at the Vidhan Sabha premises with a band baja (brass band) to protest against the remarks and demand a public apology from the Congress leader.
As the band played, AAP leaders marched towards the assembly building and raised slogans condemning Bajwa’s statement. The unusual form of protest attracted attention and was intended to highlight what the party described as an insult to the dignity of marginalised communities. Speaking to mediapersons during the protest, Harbhajan Singh ETO termed the
remarks highly objectionable and said they were insulting not only to him but also to the Dalit community. He alleged that by mocking the livelihood of marginalised sections, Bajwa had exposed the mindset of the Congress leadership towards poor and Dalit communities. “The people of Punjab are watching the arrogance of Congress leaders closely and will give a fitting reply to those who insult the dignity and livelihoods of poor and Dalit communities,” he said.
The minister further stated that the party had earlier demanded an apology from Bajwa for his comments. However, according to him, the Congress leader had not expressed any regret over the matter. ETO said that if Bajwa faced them in the Assembly, they would once again ask him whether he stood by the words he used against the Dalit community.
AAP leaders maintained that insulting the dignity and livelihoods of marginalised communities was unacceptable and insisted that the Congress leadership must respond to the issue. They reiterated their demand that Partap Singh Bajwa immediately apologise to the Dalit community for the alleged remarks.
