The desecration of a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Amritsar on Republic Day has set off a fierce political storm in Punjab, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) launching scathing attacks on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led State Government. While the BJP has formed a six-member probe panel to investigate the incident, the SAD Working Committee on Friday demanded a judicial inquiry, alleging a deep-rooted conspiracy to disturb communal harmony in the State.

The issue has sparked statewide protests, particularly among the Dalit organizations, who see the act as an assault on the legacy of Dr Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. The incident, captured in viral footage, shows a youth, identified as Akashdeep, climbing a ladder and hammering the statue, leading to widespread condemnation and demands for swift justice. As political tensions soar, the BJP and SAD have intensified their offensive against the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government, accusing it of negligence and failing to protect symbols of social justice. 

In a decisive move, BJP national president JP Nadda on Friday announced the constitution of a six-member fact-finding committee to probe the Ambedkar statue desecration and submit its findings. The BJP leadership has strongly condemned the act, calling it a direct result of the AAP Government’s apathy towards Dalits and law enforcement failures. 

The panel members include Rajya Sabha MP and Uttar Pradesh’s former DGP Brij Lal; BJP Scheduled Castes Morcha’s national president Lal Singh Arya; former Union Minister and ex-MP from Hoshiarpur Som Prakash; BJP national spokesperson Guruprakash Paswan; Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Asim Arun; and senior BJP leader from Ambala Banto Devi Kataria.

“The incident is a deliberate act of mischief, meant to provoke communal tensions in Punjab. The AAP government is complicit through its inaction, and we demand strict action against those responsible,” said Nadda, in a statement.

The BJP panel will visit Amritsar, meet local authorities, civil society groups, and Dalit leaders, and prepare a comprehensive investigative report. 

The formation of the fact-finding panel comes days after the BJP delegation had met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria submitting a memorandum demanding a high-level inquiry and stringent action against all conspirators. The party has also staged protests across Punjab, with leaders like former Union Minister Vijay Sampla, former state Cabinet Minister Manoranjan Kalia, former MLA Fateh Singh Bajwa, former MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, and former MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon spearheading the movement. 

SAD Demands Judicial Probe

Meanwhile, the SAD Working Committee, in a high-level meeting on Friday chaired by party’s working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar, has called for a judicial inquiry into the Amritsar statue desecration.

Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema alleged that the incident was part of a premeditated conspiracy to create social unrest in Punjab. “For over a decade, attempts have been made to disturb communal harmony in Punjab — first by desecrating religious scriptures and now by targeting Dr Ambedkar’s statue. We demand a judicial probe to unmask the masterminds behind this act,” said Cheema.

SAD's alleged that the AAP Government is downplaying the incident instead of ensuring an impartial investigation. “The failure of law enforcement on Republic Day, when security should have been at its peak, raises suspicions,” said the party’s statement.

 “This probe should be initiated at the earliest besides taking action against civil and police officials who had failed in their duty to protect the statue on the occasion of Republic Day when the entire State was in a state of high alert,” said the party, vowing to expose those behind the incident and hold officials accountable for their inaction. 

AAP Under Fire

With both BJP and SAD mounting pressure, the AAP Government has found itself on the defensive. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had condemned the act, assuring strict action and swift arrests. The Amritsar Police Commissionerate has already registered an FIR and arrested the accused, identified as a resident of Moga district.

 However, the opposition is unsatisfied, with BJP and SAD accusing AAP of failing to protect Punjab’s socio-political harmony. The coming days are expected to witness intensified protests, political showdowns, and heightened scrutiny over the government’s handling of the case.