Accusing Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann of attempting to whitewash his grandfather’s “dubious” record of honouring General Reginald Dyer with a “siropa” (robe of honour) at Akal Takht after Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday asked SAD (Amritsar-Mann) president to apologize for hurting the people’s sentiments.
“MP Mann should not attempt to whitewash his family’s dubious past and should instead apologize for hurting the people’s sentiments...because Punjabis know the truth and cannot be misled,” said AAP’s chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang.
Kang said that MP Mann is trying to justify his grandfather Arur Singh’s action as a ‘pro-British Sikh’ during the freedom struggle. “After calling legendary martyr Shaheed Bhagat Singh a ‘terrorist’, Mann has now disrespected the supreme sacrifice of hundreds of people who lost their lives in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre,” said Kang.
“Instead of apologising for disrespecting freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, MP Mann has now insulted the people in Jallianwala Bagh massacre by defending the shameful act of his grandfather Arur Singh, the then sarbarah (in-charge) of the Golden Temple, for honouring General Reginald Dyer,” he said.
AAP leader said that Mann is justifying the act of his grandfather with dubious claims that Arur Singh did it to prevent General Dyer from attacking Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Arur Singh faced a revolt from the Sikhs of Punjab as he was seen as a pro-British Sikh, after the ceremony at the Golden Temple, he added.