Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday condemned “the abusive and insulting remarks” made by Chandigarh BJP chief Jatinder Pal Malhotra against Punjabis at a public meeting.During an event in Chandigarh, Warring said Malhotra described Punjabis as “emotional fools”.Warring questioned the silence of the BJP leaders from Punjab. He asked, “How could they tolerate such abuse and insult of the Punjabi community?”In a written statement, Warring remarked, “Malhotra actually revealed the real mindset of the BJP that is hostile and hateful towards Punjab and the Punjabis. Malhotra may have unknowingly revealed the BJP’s thinking about the Punjabis.”He asked, “Whether the Punjab BJP leaders, particularly the state president Kewal Singh Dhillon, agreed with what Malhotra said about Punjabis.”The Ludhiana MP expressed surprise over “the silence of the Punjab BJP leadership even after many days have passed since Malhotra made these remarks”.Congress workers staged protests across Punjab, demanding action against Malhotra. They also sought an unconditional apology from him.The party workers took out protest marches in various district headquarters, raising slogans against the BJP and Malhotra.Malhotra said, “If any of my remarks hurt anyone or offended anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologise for the same.”Accusing the Congress of “distorting facts for political gain”, Malhotra said, “Instead of showing the complete video of the programme, the Congress party selectively clipped a small portion and presented it out of context in an attempt to unsuccessfully incite regional and religious sentiments.”“I myself am a Punjabi. I was brought up in Amritsar, and today I live in Chandigarh. I am proud to be a Punjabi and will always remain so,” he added.Hitting back at Warring, Malhotra said, “The sentiments of Punjabis were truly hurt when Congress divided Punjab, when an attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib took place during the Congress rule, and when every possible effort was made to shield those responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Raja Warring has always remained silent on these serious issues.”MSID:: 131861617 413 |
