The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended Shiv Kumar, president of its Amritsar district Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha, following the arrest of his son Rohan Khosla in a major arms smuggling case. The suspension, announced on June 26, 2025, comes after security agencies recovered 26 sophisticated weapons, including an AK-47 assault rifle, from Khosla's possession during a joint operation by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) and the Border Security Force (BSF) on June 19.
Details of the Arms Recovery and Arrest
Rohan Khosla was taken into custody during the coordinated raid. According to officials, the recovered arsenal comprised 26 high-caliber weapons, with the AK-47 being the most prominent. During interrogation, Khosla allegedly confessed to having smuggled weapons on multiple previous occasions. He remains in police custody as investigations continue to trace the supply chain and possible accomplices.
BJP district president Harwinder Singh Sandhu confirmed the suspension, stating that while Shiv Kumar had been inactive in party affairs for several months, the severity of the case necessitated immediate action. “Even though he has remained inactive in party activities for the past several months, we cannot overlook an issue of such gravity, especially when it concerns national security. Therefore, he has been suspended from the party with immediate effect,” Sandhu said.
Political Fallout and Opposition Allegations
The arrest has ignited a political firestorm in Punjab, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing the BJP of harboring criminal elements. AAP chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal alleged that the incident exposes the BJP's purported attempts to disturb peace and communal harmony in the state ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. “This incident raises serious questions about the BJP's commitment to law and order,” Dhaliwal said.
Dhaliwal directly challenged senior BJP leaders, including Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and national general secretary Tarun Chugh, demanding to know whether the party would act against what he described as “criminal elements” within its ranks. He also criticized the BJP-led central government for lax border security, noting that despite the BSF operating under the Union Home Ministry headed by Amit Shah, weapons and narcotics continue to flow into Punjab. “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has repeatedly sought anti-drone systems to strengthen border security, but the BJP-led Centre has failed to provide adequate support. This exposes the BJP’s anti-Punjab stance,” Dhaliwal alleged.
Party Response and Broader Implications
The BJP, for its part, has moved swiftly to distance itself from Shiv Kumar, emphasizing that the suspension was a disciplinary measure to uphold national security. Party insiders indicate that the decision was taken at the highest level to avoid any perception of complicity. The case has also reignited debates over cross-border arms smuggling, with security experts calling for enhanced surveillance and stricter enforcement along the India-Pakistan border.
As the investigation unfolds, the political repercussions are likely to intensify, with the AAP using the incident to question the BJP's governance in Punjab. The state is gearing up for Assembly elections, and the arms haul has become a key campaign issue, with opposition parties demanding a thorough probe and accountability from the ruling party at the center.
