Chandigarh BJP chief's 'Punjabis emotionally fool' remark sparks protest
The BJP's Chandigarh unit chief, Jatinder Pal Malhotra, sparked a political controversy after allegedly referring to Punjabis as "emotional bloody fools", prompting protests by AAP and criticism from Congress and SAD, all of whom demanded an apology and action against him.
A political row erupted in Chandigarh after BJP's Chandigarh unit president, Jatinder Pal Malhotra faced criticism over remarks in which he allegedly referred to Punjabis as "emotional bloody fools". The controversy triggered protests by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), while the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also condemned the statement and demanded action against the BJP leader.
AAP leaders and workers on Friday staged a protest against Malhotra and attempted to gherao the BJP office in Chandigarh. Police stopped the protesters by putting up barricades. During the protest, AAP workers raised slogans against Malhotra and the BJP and burned an effigy of the Chandigarh BJP chief.
The protest came days after Malhotra's remarks drew criticism from political parties, which described them as derogatory and anti-Punjabi.
AAP leader Yogesh Dhingra, who participated in the protest, said, "Chandigarh BJP chief's statement calling Punjabis 'emotional bloody fools' is an insult to the entire Punjabi community."
The protesters said Punjabis had made the greatest sacrifices for the country's independence, guarded its borders and filled the nation's granaries. They termed the alleged insult to Punjabis "utterly reprehensible" and said people of Punjab knew how to respond democratically to those who hurt the honour of the community.
They further said that if the BJP truly respected Punjab and Punjabis, it should distance itself from the statement and take immediate action against the leader concerned.
The Congress also attacked the BJP over the controversy. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring demanded that the BJP apologise for the remarks made by its Chandigarh unit chief.
"By calling Punjabis emotional, bloody fools, the BJP has once again exposed its thinking towards Punjab and Punjabiyat. Punjabis are certainly emotional, but not fools. Standing up for our self-respect and rights is our identity," Warring said.
He said Punjabis always stood at the forefront, whether safeguarding the country's borders or meeting the nation's food needs, and played a leading role during times of crisis. He added that the insult to the community could not be tolerated.
The Shiromani Akali Dal's Chandigarh unit also criticised Malhotra and asked him to apologise for the remark.
Responding to the criticism, Malhotra, who is also a Punjabi, denied that he had used the word for the Punjabi community. He accused rival parties of circulating clipped videos from a sports event to target him.
"However, even if anyone felt hurt by my comments, I feel sorry. I was referring to myself at the event and not Punjabis," Malhotra told the media in Chandigarh.
The controversy continues to draw sharp political reactions, with opposition parties demanding an apology and action against the BJP leader over the remarks.