Chandigarh, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress leader and former Haryana Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Sharma has urged party president Mallikarjun Kharge to remove Deepender Hooda from the Congress Working Committee (CWC), alleging that Hooda’s remarks about former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar have hurt sentiments in the Sikh community.
Sajjan Kumar, who was serving two life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died in New Delhi on August 20 at the age of 80. Following his death, Hooda had described Kumar as a “role model” and termed his demise an “irreparable loss”.
In a letter to Kharge, Sharma said Hooda’s remarks had triggered resentment among members of the Sikh community in Haryana and Punjab and could adversely affect the Congress ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
“Ever since Mr Deepender Hooda, Permanent invitee to the CWC, has issued a statement extolling the virtues of Mr Sajjan Kumar, since deceased, as a role model, it has sent shock waves among the Sikh community of India,” Sharma wrote.
He said Sikh associates from Haryana and Punjab had contacted him to express their “resentment over such irresponsible statement”.
Sharma also referred to the support he said the Congress received from the Sikh community following the farmers’ agitation, claiming that Hooda’s remarks had prompted some members of the community to reconsider their support for the party.
“It is pertinent to mention that after the Kisan agitation, the Sikh community had overwhelmingly voted for Congress in the country, but after such a statement, the community is having afterthoughts about supporting the party. The opposition parties are taking up the issue for political gains,” he said.
The former Speaker argued that the controversy could damage Congress prospects in Punjab, where Assembly elections are due in 2027. He also noted that the party had previously distanced itself from Sajjan Kumar.
“Such a statement made by Deepender Hooda on the eve of Punjab elections has not only harmed the interest of the party but has opened the wounds of the community as such,” Sharma said.
Calling for Hooda’s removal from the CWC, Sharma said the step would demonstrate the Congress’ bona fides and help address what he described as reopened wounds within the Sikh community.
He also said the issue had significance beyond Punjab, referring to the Sikh community across India and the diaspora.
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