Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Hooda Denies Sajjan Kumar Praise as Congress Seeks Action
Deepender Hooda was criticized after people said he had praised Sajjan Kumar as a role model.
Kumar was a former Congress politician who was serving two life sentences connected to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Hooda said he never used the words “role model” and did not feel that way.
He said his comments were being used for political reasons.
Hooda also said he and his family have supported the Sikh community and believe those responsible for the 1984 violence should be punished.
Some Congress leaders in Punjab and Haryana strongly disagreed with the alleged praise.
Kuldeep Sharma asked the Congress president to remove Hooda from an important party committee.
The BJP and other parties said the issue showed that Congress needed to explain its position.
Deepender Hooda denied calling Sajjan Kumar a role model or expressing such a sentiment.
Hooda had described Kumar’s death as a loss to the political landscape and praised his public connection and work in Delhi.
Congress leaders in Punjab and Haryana criticized the remarks, while Kuldeep Sharma sought Hooda’s removal from the Congress Working Committee.
Critics said the comments reopened Sikh community wounds linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and could damage Congress in Punjab.
Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP serving two life sentences over the riots, died at age 80; BJP leaders demanded Congress clarify its response.
- Who
- Congress MP Deepender Hooda, Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Sharma, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar are central to the report.
- What
- Hooda denied calling Sajjan Kumar a role model, while Kuldeep Sharma sought Hooda’s removal from the Congress Working Committee over the controversy.
- When
- The clarification and removal demand were reported on Sunday, August 23; Sajjan Kumar died the preceding Thursday at age 80.
- Where
- The clarification was given in Gurugram, and the political fallout centered on Haryana, Punjab, and the Sikh community.
- Why
- Critics said the alleged remarks reopened wounds from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and could harm Congress’s prospects in Punjab.
Critics demand accountability
Hooda denies the characterization
Whether Kumar was praised
Critics demand accountability
Kuldeep Sharma and several Punjab leaders said Hooda had extolled Sajjan Kumar as a role model and described his death as an irreparable loss.
Hooda denies the characterization
Hooda said he never used the words “role model” and never held such a sentiment, arguing that the words were being put in his mouth for political purposes.
Impact on Sikhs
Critics demand accountability
Critics said the alleged remarks reopened painful memories of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and hurt Sikh families and the wider community.
Hooda denies the characterization
Hooda said his family had consistently supported Sikh rights and believed those responsible for the 1984 violence should face strict punishment.
Congress action and political impact
Critics demand accountability
Sharma called for Hooda’s removal from the Congress Working Committee, warning that the controversy could weaken Congress among Sikh voters and in Punjab.
Hooda denies the characterization
Hooda said the controversy was being used to undermine brotherhood, while Congress leaders sought to distance the party or themselves from the disputed remarks.
- Contested phrase
- Hooda was accused of calling Sajjan Kumar a “role model” and describing his death as an “irreparable loss”; he denied using those words.
- Hooda’s clarification
- He said Kumar’s death was a loss to the country’s political landscape and praised his connection with people and contribution to Delhi’s development.
- Requested action
- Kuldeep Sharma asked Mallikarjun Kharge to remove Hooda from the Congress Working Committee; one report also said Sharma sought removal from the party’s membership.
- Sajjan Kumar
- The former Congress MP was serving two life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
- Age at death
- Sajjan Kumar died at age 80.
- Congress responses
- Punjab Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Charanjit Singh Channi distanced themselves from or condemned the alleged praise.
- Political reaction
- The SAD, BJP, and AAP criticized Congress, while Haryana BJP president Archana Gupta sought clarification on possible action.
