Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday hit back at Congress over its protest demanding the removal of Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the alleged suicide of Dalit man Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, accusing the party of exploiting a human tragedy while asking why its leaders continued to “dodge” questions over the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.The counterattack came just hours after AICC general secretary in charge Sachin Pilot led the protest. AAP said Gulzar’s death was tragic and should be thoroughly investigated, but alleged Congress was using the family’s grief as a “political ladder” and seeking headlines while the investigation was underway.Cabinet minister Aman Arora said, “Punjab has not forgotten 1984, and it will not forgive Congress,” alleging that the pain of the massacre continued to affect families generations later. He accused Congress leaders of showing “complete contempt for Punjab” by avoiding accountability.Cheema asked why Congress continued to refuse to answer questions about the 1984 violence. Cabinet minister Baljit Kaur said Pilot “walks off” and Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring “loses his temper” when questions are raised about 1984 and Congress leader Kamal Nath.Health minister Dr Balbir Singh similarly questioned Pilot’s response to questions about Kamal Nath and 1984, asking why Congress leaders were angry if they had “nothing to hide”. Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said Punjab deserved answers rather than silence, while Lal Chand Katharuchak said the wounds of 1984 remained and the demand for accountability continued.Minister Ravjot Singh said Punjab could never be healed from the wounds of 1984 and alleged Congress leaders continued to “run away or retreat into silence” when the issue was raised.AAP said the state govt was fighting drugs and gangsterism through decisive action and accused Congress of turning tragedies into political campaigns. It said Congress should answer for its own record on drugs and gangsterism before lecturing the Punjab government.
