Chandigarh, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to disturb Punjab’s peace and communal harmony over the incident involving the alleged vandalism of a Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue at Barian Kalan in Hoshiarpur district.
AAP leaders Gurpreet Singh GP, Jasvir Singh Garhi and Pawan Kumar Tinu condemned the confrontation that took place at the site and alleged that the BJP was trying to use the incident for political gains.
Police have registered a case against unidentified persons in connection with the alleged damage to the Ambedkar statue and are examining CCTV footage and other material as part of the investigation. Reports also said former Union minister and BJP leader Vijay Sampla was injured during a confrontation at the protest site on Wednesday.
Gurpreet Singh GP alleged that during a programme related to Baba Sahib Ambedkar at Barian Kalan, Sampla and BJP workers attempted to take away the microphone. He condemned the incident and said that, according to the AAP, any attempt to disturb Punjab’s social harmony would not be tolerated.
GP also accused the BJP of adopting what he described as an anti-Punjab approach on issues including the farm laws and the Constitution, and said the people of Punjab would reject attempts to disturb peace in the state.
AAP leader Jasvir Singh Garhi alleged that Sampla’s presence at the site led to a confrontation with Dalit community members and BSP workers. He condemned what he described as harassment and “hooliganism” against Dalits.
Garhi also raised questions about the BJP’s representation of Dalit communities, asking why, according to him, the party had not appointed a Dalit Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister in any of the 21 states governed by the NDA. He further cited several incidents and policy issues to criticise the BJP’s record concerning Dalit rights.
AAP leader Pawan Kumar Tinu alleged that the BJP and RSS were attempting to exploit the Ambedkar statue incident for political gains as elections approach. He called for an impartial investigation into the incidents involving Ambedkar statues in Punjab.
Tinu also alleged that similar tactics were being used to provoke emotions and create divisions in the state. These claims were made by AAP leaders as part of their criticism of the BJP and were not established findings of the ongoing police investigation.
Referring to the Punjab government, Tinu said the Bhagwant Mann-led administration was working for all sections of society and highlighted the display of Dr Ambedkar’s photograph in government offices and the state government’s education initiatives.
He appealed to people to maintain peace and communal harmony and urged them not to be influenced by what he described as attempts to create divisions. Tinu also called for the AAP government to be re-elected in Punjab.
The Barian Kalan incident has triggered political reactions amid an ongoing police probe into the alleged vandalism of the Ambedkar statue. The police have said unidentified persons allegedly damaged the statue after throwing stones at it and are examining CCTV footage to identify those involved.
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