Barian Kalan (Hoshiarpur), September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Sampla was hurt on Wednesday when BJP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers clashed at Barian Kalan village in Hoshiarpur district, where both sides had gathered to protest the desecration of a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
The incident came amid another reported case of vandalism targeting an Ambedkar statue in the area within days. Barian Kalan falls under the Chabbewal Assembly constituency.
Sampla alleged that he was attacked by people carrying BSP flags when he reached the village to lead the BJP’s protest.
Speaking to the media after the incident, the former Union Minister alleged that incidents involving desecration or vandalism of statues of Dr Ambedkar tended to surface whenever a major issue arose in Punjab.
He claimed that this was the third or fourth such incident in Hoshiarpur and referred to other cases reported from different parts of Punjab in recent days.
“The attack on me was carried out by hired men. The Punjab Police should immediately arrest these miscreants and expose the entire conspiracy behind the attack,” Sampla said.
Questioning the timing of the incidents involving Ambedkar statues, he claimed that their occurrence pointed towards a “deeper conspiracy”.
Sampla said BSP flags were displayed at the stage where the alleged attack took place. He further alleged that the incident had the backing of the Punjab government, claiming that police personnel present at the spot remained “mute spectators”.
At the same time, Sampla said that since BSP flags were displayed at the stage, the party also bore responsibility for what happened there.
He said he did not personally know the people who allegedly attacked him but claimed that since they were managing the stage, they were unlikely to be unknown to the local police. He demanded their immediate arrest.
What Happened During the Incident?
Giving his account of the events, Sampla said he learnt on September 15 about the vandalism of the statue of Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar at Barian Kalan. He subsequently informed the administration and reached the village on Wednesday.
According to Sampla, media persons gathered around him after his arrival. During this time, some people managing the stage allegedly began raising slogans against the BJP and Sampla personally and made objectionable remarks.
Sampla said he asked the DSP present at the spot to restrain those allegedly trying to disturb the atmosphere. According to him, the DSP intervened and stopped them, following which he proceeded towards the stage.
An announcement was then reportedly made from the stage that some people wanted to put questions to Sampla.
Sampla alleged that when he went onto the stage and attempted to speak through the microphone, he was pushed and manhandled.
He claimed that one person struck him from the front while another attacked him from behind. BJP workers accompanying him intervened and shielded him, he said.
The allegations made by Sampla regarding the identity and political affiliation of those involved, as well as his claims of a conspiracy and government backing, are his version of the incident. An independent police account of the clash was not immediately available.
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