Chandigarh, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday questioned the silence of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), SGPC, Congress and BJP leaders over serious allegations raised by a woman from Bahrain against Akali leader Amarjit Singh Chawla and others.
Addressing a press conference, Pannu said an FIR had been registered at Anandpur Sahib police station following the woman’s complaint, with provisions relating to rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation invoked against Chawla. He said Chawla had resigned from his SGPC membership and other positions and questioned whether the resignation from the SGPC had been formally accepted.
Pannu directly questioned SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal over his silence on the matter and asked why the party leadership had not publicly addressed the allegations.
He also questioned SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami over the organisation’s response and asked why, according to him, action had not been taken with greater urgency. Pannu specifically raised the issue of displaying information about persons facing such action outside gurdwaras to keep the sangat informed.
Questioning Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Pannu referred to her participation in previous protests concerning women’s issues and asked why she had not publicly addressed the allegations in the present case. He also questioned whether she would seek action against those named in the allegations.
Pannu also raised questions about Akali leaders Virsa Singh Valtoha and Youth Akali Dal president Sarabjit Singh Jhinjer, particularly concerning the circumstances in which the woman allegedly came to Punjab and stayed at a sarai for several months. He referred to Valtoha’s public statements regarding the woman and Chawla and sought clarification on the matter.
Turning to the Congress, Pannu questioned Punjab Congress leaders Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Partap Singh Bajwa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring over their silence. He asked why leaders who regularly raise political and public issues had not commented on the allegations involving a woman.
Pannu also questioned BJP leaders, including Sunil Jakhar and Manpreet Singh Badal, asking why the party had not issued a public statement on the matter. He questioned whether any understanding between the BJP and SAD had influenced the BJP’s response, framing this as a question requiring clarification rather than presenting it as an established fact.
Pannu said the matter should not be reduced to political allegations and counter-allegations and demanded that the concerned political and institutional leaders publicly state their positions.
He urged journalists to question the leaders directly about the case whenever they address the media, saying that answers were required from the SAD, SGPC, Congress and BJP leadership.
The allegations mentioned by Pannu remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
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