Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Deepender Hooda Denies Calling Sajjan Kumar Role Model
Deepender Hooda is a Congress politician from Rohtak.
He spoke about the death of Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress leader convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Some people said Hooda called Kumar a role model and described his death as a very serious loss.
Hooda said he did not use those words or mean that.
He said he was sorry if his comments hurt the Sikh community.
He also said that his words were twisted and that an English word was added to his statement.
Political leaders in Punjab criticized him.
Hooda said his family has always supported justice for the Sikh community.
The disagreement is about what Hooda meant and how his comments were presented.
Rohtak Congress MP Deepender Hooda expressed regret to the Sikh community over remarks made after Sajjan Kumar’s death.
Hooda denied calling Kumar a “role model” or describing his death as an “irreparable loss.”
He said he had described Kumar’s death as a loss to the country’s political landscape and praised his public connect and contribution to Delhi’s development.
Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP serving two life sentences linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died aged 80 on Thursday.
The SAD, BJP and AAP criticized Hooda, while he said his remarks had been twisted and misrepresented by the BJP’s IT cell.
- Who
- Rohtak Congress MP Deepender Hooda, Sajjan Kumar, and critics from the SAD, BJP and AAP are central to the controversy.
- What
- Hooda clarified remarks made after Kumar’s death, expressed regret to the Sikh community, and denied calling Kumar a “role model.”
- When
- Kumar died on Thursday at age 80; Hooda issued his clarification on Sunday after two days of backlash.
- Where
- Hooda’s statement was posted on X, while much of the criticism came from Punjab.
- Why
- Hooda said his remarks had been twisted and presented in a misleading way; critics said the comments were hurtful to the Sikh community.
Hooda’s account
Critics’ interpretation
Whether Kumar was called a role model
Hooda’s account
Hooda said he never used the words “role model” and did not hold such a sentiment.
Critics’ interpretation
Critics said the reported remarks raised questions about the Congress’s attitude toward Sajjan Kumar and the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
Meaning of the condolence remarks
Hooda’s account
Hooda said he referred to Kumar’s death as a loss to the country’s political landscape and acknowledged his public connect and contribution to Delhi’s development, without intending to hurt anyone.
Critics’ interpretation
Critics, including AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, said the remarks were deeply hurtful because the wounds of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence remain alive among Sikh families.
Presentation of Hooda’s statement
Hooda’s account
Hooda said his words were twisted, presented to the public for two days, and altered by adding an English word he never uttered.
Critics’ interpretation
The BJP’s criticism and other political reactions treated the remarks as evidence of an unacceptable position, rather than accepting Hooda’s explanation.
- Politician
- Deepender Hooda, Congress MP for Rohtak
- Person discussed
- Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress MP
- Kumar’s legal status
- He was serving two life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots
- Death
- Kumar died on Thursday at the age of 80
- Hooda’s clarification
- He denied using the words “role model” and said he did not harbor such sentiment
- Expression of regret
- Hooda expressed regret to the Sikh community for his remarks
- Criticism
- SAD, BJP and AAP leaders criticized the comments, particularly in Punjab
- Hooda’s allegation
- He said the BJP’s IT cell twisted his words and inserted an English word he never used
