Punjab’s Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar is in dock. Over a one-and-a-half years after an energized crowd of farmers-protestors hoisted the Sikh flag (nishan sahib) and a farmers’ flag along with the Indian national flag on the Republic Day last year, a purported old video of the AAP leader is going viral in which he is also seen standing amongst the protestors.
Bhullar, in the video, was seen with the late actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu at the time of hoisting of ‘Nishan Sahib’ at the Red Fort on January 26, 2021.
Targeting the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and its entire leadership, Punjab Congress and also the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have sought clarification.
Senior Congress leaders — All India Kisan Congress chairman and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and former Deputy Chief Minister and Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa — took to Twitter sharing Bhullar’s video along with Deep Sidhu at the time of violence at Red Fort.
Khaira sought clarification from AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Bhullar’s presence at the time of hoisting of ‘Nishan sahib’ along with Deep Sidhu. “If you call them anti-national, then how have you kept Bhullar as Minister in your Cabinet. I am subject to correction!”, tweeted Khaira.
Randhawa tweeted, “Arvind Kejriwal and AAP duplicity is clear. MP Raghav Chadha is calling Deep Sidhu an anti-national. But your Minister was also present with Deep Sidhu. Public wants to know your stand.”
Deep Sidhu, who was named as one of the main instigators of the Red Fort violence on Republic Day, was arrested last year for his alleged role in instigating violence there during the farmers’ tractor rally.
Even as Laljit Bhullar could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts, AAP’s chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang said that AAP had supported the farmers’ agitation, but has never been part of any anti-national activity. It is wrong to associate Bhullar with Deep Sidhu, as hundreds of persons were present there.
On January 26, 2021, the farmers — protesting against the Centre’s now repealed three farm laws — were carrying out ‘tractor march’ on the outskirts of New Delhi on Republic Day. A group of farmers, led by Deep Sidhu, entered the interiors of New Delhi, stormed the grounds of the historic Red Fort. After brutally attacking the security personnel and police officials stationed at the Red Fort, the group of agitated crowd allegedly disrespected India’s national flag by hoisting two other flags — one being the ‘Kesari Flag’ (flag with Sikh holy symbol) on the Red Fort.