4 days ago
BJP Reprimands Three MPs Over Sajjan Kumar Condolence Visit
Three BJP lawmakers from Delhi went to an event connected with Sajjan Kumar after he died.
One report says they visited his home, while another says they attended a condolence meeting.
Sajjan Kumar was a former Congress leader convicted in a case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
BJP president Nitin Nabin said the lawmakers should not have gone.
He summoned them and reportedly sought explanations.
Punjab BJP leaders criticized the visit because of the suffering of riot victims and their families.
The Aam Aadmi Party also criticized the BJP and asked if the MPs would be suspended.
The controversy comes months before the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
BJP president Nitin Nabin reportedly summoned and reprimanded Delhi MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat.
Reports differ on whether the MPs visited Sajjan Kumar’s residence or attended a condolence meeting after his death on August 20.
Sajjan Kumar was a former Congress leader convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and was serving two life sentences, according to one report.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon and BJP leader HS Phoolka condemned the MPs’ reported gesture.
The Aam Aadmi Party questioned whether the BJP would suspend the MPs for what it called “backstabbing Sikhs.”
- Who
- BJP president Nitin Nabin; Delhi MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat; Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon; BJP leader HS Phoolka; and the Aam Aadmi Party.
- What
- Three Delhi BJP MPs faced party displeasure after attending or visiting a condolence event connected with Sajjan Kumar.
- Where
- The reports place the event either at Sajjan Kumar’s residence or at a condolence meeting in Delhi. Kumar died at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.
- When
- The reports say Kumar died on August 20 and that the condolence event or residence visit occurred afterward, with one report describing it as Saturday.
- Why
- The visit drew criticism because Kumar was convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Critics of the Condolence Appearance
BJP Leadership’s Response
Appropriateness of the gesture
Critics of the Condolence Appearance
Kewal Singh Dhillon, HS Phoolka and the Aam Aadmi Party said the reported condolence gesture was offensive to victims and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
BJP Leadership’s Response
BJP leadership reportedly said the MPs should not have attended and treated the matter as politically sensitive.
Disciplinary action
Critics of the Condolence Appearance
The Aam Aadmi Party questioned whether the BJP would suspend the MPs, while HS Phoolka called for their boycott.
BJP Leadership’s Response
The BJP reportedly summoned and reprimanded the MPs and sought explanations; the reports do not say that suspension was announced.
BJP’s record on the 1984 cases
Critics of the Condolence Appearance
Critics argued that offering condolences to Sajjan Kumar conflicted with support for victims seeking justice.
BJP Leadership’s Response
Kewal Singh Dhillon said the BJP had stood with victim families and credited Narendra Modi’s government with forming a special investigation team.
Key facts
- BJP president
- Nitin Nabin reportedly summoned the three MPs, expressed displeasure and said they should not have attended.
- MPs involved
- Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat.
- Sajjan Kumar
- The former Congress leader was convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots; one report said he was serving two life sentences.
- Reported event
- Accounts differ between a visit to Kumar’s residence and attendance at a condolence meeting after his death on August 20.
- Punjab BJP response
- Kewal Singh Dhillon condemned the reported gesture as painful and insulting to families who lost loved ones.
- HS Phoolka’s response
- Phoolka condemned the visit and called for the three MPs to be boycotted.
- AAP response
- The Aam Aadmi Party asked whether the BJP would suspend the MPs for “backstabbing Sikhs.”
Quotes
Kewal Singh Dhillon
Punjab BJP president who condemned the MPs’ visit
“The news of three BJP MPs privately visiting the house of 1984 Sikh massacre accused Sajjan Kumar to express condolences is painful and unfortunate.”
republicworld.com
“Showing sympathy for such a person is an insult to the thousands of families who lost their loved ones.”
republicworld.com
A BJP party source
An unnamed source from the Bharatiya Janata Party
“BJP national president Nitin Nabin summoned these three MPs today and expressed his displeasure over their visit to Sajjan Kumar's residence.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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