Comedian-turned-politician Bhagwant Mann’s “drunken” act has raised a political storm of controversy with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding action against Aam Aadmi Party’s Sangrur MP, and Swaraj Abhiyan condemning his “insensitive and irresponsible” act.
Mann, a day before, was forced to leave the bhog ceremony of the two Sikh protestors killed in the police firing during protests against the sacrilege incidents, after he was allegedly found drunk by a former granthi.
Slamming Mann for showing disrespect to Guru Granth Sahib by attending bhog under the influence of liquor, the saffron party on Monday said that the party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should take an exemplary action against Mann.
BJP’s national secretary Tarun Chugh said that it was highly unfortunate that Bhagwant Mann chose to attend the bhog of two Sikhs at Bargari in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib under the influence of liquor.
“By doing so, Bhagwant Mann has not only shown disrespect to Guru Granth Sahib and hurt Sikh sentiments but has also conveyed what kind of leadership Kejriwal is imposing on Punjab to grab power in the State,” said Chugh.
“It is very sad to know that when the whole of Punjab is in a state of pain and anguish over the incidents of sacrilege and deaths of two Sikhs in police firing, Bhagwant Mann dared to attend the bhog in a drunken state…If this is the kind of leadership Kejriwal is trying to provide to Punjab, then people of the state would have to think twice before responding to AAP chief’s calls and appeals,” he said.
Urging Kejriwal to act against Mann, Chugh reminded AAP chief that this was not for the first time that Sangrur MP had appeared publicly under the influence of liquor.
At a time when Punjab is on the boil and instances of disrespect to the Guru Granth Sahib have come to the fore, AAP MP from Sangrur, Bhagwant Mann was found to be drunk when he reached the Bhog ceremony at Bargari (Kotkapura) on Sunday. He was asked to immediately leave the stage where Guru Granth Sahib Parkash had been done.
Strongly condemning Mann’s insensitive and irresponsible act, Swaraj Abhiyan — a group formed by ousted AAP leaders — demanded AAP to apologise to the people of Punjab and stop making political capital out of a sensitive and volatile situation in the State.
“On one side, the AAP has been giving statements with immediate political gains in mind, on the other hand, one of its alcoholic stars is found indulging in disrespect to the community,” said Abhiyaan leaders. Swaraj Abhiyan leader Prashant Bhushan, who was present in Bargari village during the bhog ceremony, has also condemned the act. “Mann’s problem of alcoholism was well known to AAP PAC. He was not made leader of Parliament party, as he would often go to Parliament smelling of alcohol,” he tweeted.
Yogendra Yadav has called Mann’s behaviour as “shocking”. “Though I wasn’t surprised because alcoholism is Mann’s habit and that Arvind Kejriwal had said that the MP was even drunk in lok Sabha,” he said.
Concerned at the situation in Punjab, Swaraj Abhiyan demanded an “independent judicial probe” in the desecration and police firing, besides the Badals to “immediately resign” or be sacked and fresh elections called.