DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab has strongly condemned the derogatory remarks made by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and a Bharat Ratna awardee.

Addressing a press conference at the AAP party office in Chandigarh, AAP Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, along with AAP leaders Neel Garg and Dr Sunny Ahluwalia, lashed out at Pannu, calling him a "traitor" and a "fugitive" who is attempting to incite hatred and division among Indians from a foreign land.

Aman Arora firmly stated, "Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is not just the pride of the Dalit community, but the pride of the entire nation. He is an icon of all religions and communities, and it is because of his vision that India is recognized as the world's largest democracy today. His contributions have empowered common citizens to rise to prominent positions and serve the nation."

Slamming Pannu's divisive agenda, Arora added that those sitting far away from the country have no right to spread hatred among people. He criticized Pannu's hypocrisy, stating, "Pannu talks about justice for Sikhs, but he himself does not respect Sikhism."

Arora highlighted the universal values of Sikhism, saying, "Sikhism is a great religion that upholds equality and preaches the welfare of all communities, irrespective of caste and creed. However, Pannu is using the name of Sikhism to create divisions in society."

Taking strong exception to Pannu's reported call to desecrate Ambedkar's statues on April 14, Aman Arora issued an open challenge to him. "You have called for the destruction of Ambedkar's statues on April 14. I challenge you ? if you have the courage, come here yourself. On that day, thousands of AAP workers will stand guard at every Ambedkar statue across Punjab with flags and sticks, ensuring their protection and paying tribute to Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Arora declared.

He announced that AAP's SC Wing volunteers and party workers will give a befitting reply to such hateful elements. He reiterated, "Pannu is trying to sow hatred, but in Punjab only unity and progress will grow."

(editor@dailyworld.in)