Amritsar: With the Punjab Congress grappling with internal dissent, the BJP on Sunday waded into the row, demanding an unconditional apology from Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring over his reported remark that he was ready to “carry someone’s shoes on his head” to placate disgruntled party leaders.Punjab BJP spokesperson Sarchand Singh alleged that Warring’s remark — “Kisi bhi vyakti ke agar joote bhi sir par uthane pade to main woh bhi karne ke liye taiyar hoon” — had hurt Sikh sentiments and amounted to disrespecting the sanctity of the dastar (turban).He said the dastar symbolises honour, self-respect and Sikh identity, and any reference to placing shoes on one’s head was offensive, particularly coming from a leader who himself wears a turban. “This cannot be dismissed as a mere slip of the tongue,” he said.The BJP leader demanded that Warring immediately withdraw the statement and tender an unconditional apology to Sikhs across the world. He also asked the Congress to clarify whether the remark reflected Warring’s personal view or the party’s official position.Sarchand further questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the issue, asking whether any action would be taken against Warring. “If the Congress neither distances itself from the statement nor initiates action against him, it will reinforce the perception that the party has not moved beyond its history of hurting Sikh sentiments,” he alleged.According to the BJP, Warring made the remark while interacting with mediapersons in Chandigarh on July 10.
