Chandigarh-Addressing a press conference, Gurjeet Singh Talwandi, General Secretary and Party Observer for Chandigarh, Gurpartap Singh Riar, Mahinder Singh, Former Deputy Mayor, and Amrinder Singh, Member, SGPC, said that the statement made by Jatinder Malhotra has deeply hurt the sentiments of Punjabis residing both in India and abroad. They stated that the use of such language by a person holding a public office is not only condemnable but also reflects a divisive mindset that seeks to create discord within society.
They further said that the party has already appealed to all Gurdwara Singh Sabha Societies in Chandigarh, organisations working for Punjabi rights, and Sikh social, religious and Panthic organisations that until Jatinder Malhotra unconditionally withdraws his statement, publicly apologises to the Punjabi community, and the BJP initiates appropriate disciplinary action against him, they should neither share any platform with him or the BJP nor invite them to any of their functions.
The leaders demanded that the BJP’s central leadership should immediately remove Jatinder Malhotra from the post of President of the BJP Chandigarh Unit. They stated that if the BJP fails to take prompt and strict action in this matter, it would be construed that the party endorses and agrees with Jatinder Malhotra’s anti-Punjab and anti-Punjabi views.
Questioning BJP National President Nitin Nabin, who is on a visit to Punjab, Gurjeet Singh Talwandi said:
“The BJP National President, Shri Nitin Nabin, must make the party’s stand clear before the people of Punjab. Does he support Jatinder Malhotra’s offensive remarks against the Punjabi community, or will he uphold the dignity of Punjabis by ensuring his immediate removal from office? If the BJP’s central leadership chooses to remain silent, it will be viewed as its endorsement of Jatinder Malhotra’s statement.”
Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) reiterated that the party will continue to fight every democratic and constitutional battle to safeguard the honour of Punjab, the Punjabi language, and Punjabi identity, and appealed to the entire Punjabi community to remain united on this issue.