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News Topical, Digital Desk : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Friday held strong protests across the state to protest the shameful, casteist, and derogatory remarks made by Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa against Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. The party said this was an insult not just to one minister, but to the entire Dalit community and to hardworking people and laborers who earn their livelihood with dignity.
A large number of AAP leaders, ministers, MLAs, party workers, and local residents participated in these demonstrations. Protesters chanted slogans like "Down with the anti-Dalit Congress" and "Down with Bajwa," and demanded that Bajwa and the Congress leadership publicly apologize to the Dalit community and all working people.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu claimed that the Congress party's anti-Dalit mentality has once again been exposed before the people of Punjab. Pannu warned that the party will not allow anyone in the state to denigrate Dalits or insult the dignity of working class people.
Dalit humiliation and toiler criticism
Baltej Pannu said Bajwa's language clearly reflects the Congress Party's deep hatred for Dalits and its long history of insulting marginalized communities due to political arrogance. He said that while AAP believes in governance, education, health, employment, and public welfare, Congress leaders like Bajwa are still stuck in the same feudal and casteist mindset that Punjab has repeatedly rejected.
Baltej Pannu said that Bajwa's comment is also a direct insult to the hardworking people of Punjab, especially the band players, daily wage labourers and other artistes who work tirelessly during weddings, religious ceremonies and social events.
Congress protests over Bajwa controversy: Baltej Pannu
Baltej Pannu challenged the Congress high command to clarify whether Pratap Bajwa's casteist language represents the party's official position. Does Congress stand by Bajwa's derogatory remarks? Will the Congress president and senior leaders publicly condemn him, or will they remain silent again, as they always do when Dalits are attacked or insulted? Baltej Pannu said that Congress's silence itself proves that Bajwa's statement was not acceptable, but rather reflects the true face and mentality of the Congress party.
Protests were held across Punjab, including large demonstrations in Malerkotla and Ropar. Large numbers of local residents and band-baja artists joined AAP leaders and activists in strongly condemning Bajwa and the Congress party's anti-Dalit stance.
Protests broke out across Punjab, including in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar, Amritsar, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Moga, Malerkotla, Patiala, Rupnagar, Sangrur, Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Mansa, Muktsar Sahib, Barnala, and SAS Nagar. AAP ministers, MLAs, and workers spoke out against Pratap Singh Bajwa.
Pannu's struggle continues, apology mandatory: Punjab
Baltej Pannu clarified that Punjab is a land of equality, guided by the teachings of the Guru Sahiban and the ideology of Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The people of Punjab will not tolerate the insults against Dalits and working communities. Pannu said that their struggle will continue until Bajwa and the Congress leadership apologize unconditionally.
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