Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday reiterated his allegations linking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the recent explosions in Jalandhar and Amritsar, even as BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh sent him a legal notice demanding an apology and seeking a sedition case against him.
Mann's Remarks on Blasts
Speaking during his Shukrana Yatra in Jalandhar and Kartarpur, Mann said, "Communal parties like BJP and Akali Dal make people fight for votes. The small blasts that took place in Jalandhar and Amritsar are a sign of BJP's entry. After winning in Bengal, they said, ‘Punjab next'. Wherever they go, they create divisions. They want Hindus and Sikhs to fight, but Punjab has always remained united."
Mann remained undeterred by criticism from the BJP, which demanded that he provide proof for his accusations. He asserted that forces attempting to divide Sikhs and Hindus for political gains would fail against Punjab's strong tradition of brotherhood and unity. Linking the twin blasts to BJP's "political entry tactics" in Punjab, he said, "Wherever BJP goes, it spreads unrest and fear... BJP is trying to push Punjab back into instability ahead of elections."
BJP's Legal Notice and Counter-Accusations
BJP retaliated by calling for a sedition case against Mann. Chugh's legal notice demands an unconditional public apology within seven days; failing which, the BJP will sue him for criminal defamation, public mischief, and dissemination of false information. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said, "This (Mann's remarks) amounts to sedition. DGP says these incidents are linked to ISI operations but the CM says BJP did it. Do you think Pakistan will not play this tape in its Punjab assembly or Parliament?" Jakhar also demanded a sedition case against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
After leading a delegation of BJP's core committee to the Punjab DGP's office, Jakhar said they sought "interrogation" of Mann to ascertain the "source" behind his allegations. He accused Mann of "trying to trigger riots in Punjab" and sought action against him. Alleging that several AAP leaders were making similar statements in a "concerted and conspiratorial manner", Jakhar claimed there was "a systematic attempt to spread poison across Punjab". He warned, "If the CM isn't summoned for questioning, we will write to the Union home minister and demand a thorough probe by NIA or any agency he deems fit." He added, "If we are the ones carrying out bomb blasts, then arrest us. Otherwise, summon them."
Congress Demands Clarity
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring echoed similar sentiments, questioning why an FIR hasn't been registered against the BJP if the CM believes it is behind the blasts. "If such allegations cannot be substantiated, BJP should consider legal action against the chief minister," he said. Warring pointed out the differing statements by Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav on the two blasts and cautioned against turning such a sensitive incident into a political blame game. "People of Punjab want to know who is correct, CM or DGP," he said.
UAPA Invoked in Jalandhar Blast Case
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have registered a case in connection with the May 5 blast outside the BSF Punjab Frontier headquarters. Charges include terror acts, attempt to murder, and criminal conspiracy under sections 113, 109, and 61(2) of the BNS; sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act; and relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The FIR was lodged at the New Baradari police station.
