A political firestorm has erupted across Delhi and Punjab, reigniting the bitter rivalry between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The controversy centers on a video clip allegedly showing Delhi's Leader of Opposition, Atishi, making derogatory remarks about the ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur. This incident has triggered a chain reaction of protests, police complaints, and a constitutional stand-off between two state legislatures.
The Spark: A Controversial Video and Immediate Fallout
The row began on January 7, 2026, when BJP leader and Delhi minister Kapil Mishra posted a video clip on social media. The clip purported to show Atishi making objectionable comments about Guru Tegh Bahadur during a debate in the Delhi Assembly in November 2025. The BJP immediately demanded the cancellation of Atishi's Assembly membership, with its MLAs staging protests.
The AAP hit back with equal force, dismissing the allegations as "false" and accusing the BJP of circulating a "doctored" video to spread misinformation. Atishi herself, in a post on X on January 8, stated that the BJP had "misused the name of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji in a wrong manner and insulted Guru Sahib." She posted what she claimed was the original video, alleging false subtitles were added.
Legal and Legislative Escalation: FIRs and Breach of Privilege
The conflict quickly escalated beyond political rhetoric into legal and legislative domains. In Punjab, the Jalandhar police registered an FIR based on a complaint by Iqbal Singh. The complainant alleged that the shared clip falsely depicted Atishi to provoke religious sentiments. The police sent the video for forensic analysis.
The forensic report, received on January 9, became a crucial piece of evidence. The Jalandhar police stated, "it emerged that the word Guru was not uttered by Atishi in her audio." They concluded there was a deliberate doctoring of the video. While the FIR did not name specific leaders, Congress MLAs Pargat Singh and Sukhpal Khaira claimed they were booked.
This police action from Punjab then triggered a sharp response from the Delhi legislature. On Saturday, January 11, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta issued "breach of privilege" notices to senior Punjab police officers, including the DGP. Gupta argued that the video was the property of the Assembly, and the Punjab police's forensic examination constituted unwarranted interference. The officers were asked to reply by Monday.
Political Theatre: Protests and Electoral Calculations
The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of the approaching 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, making it a potent political tool. In the Sikh-majority state, matters of religious sentiment are highly sensitive. Opposition parties—BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Congress—saw an opportunity to corner the ruling AAP, which has been actively wooing the Sikh community.
Protests and counter-protests swept both states on Saturday. AAP workers demonstrated outside the homes of BJP, SAD, and Congress leaders in Pathankot, Badal village, Jalandhar, and Bholath, demanding their arrest for sharing the alleged fake video. Simultaneously, BJP and SAD workers held protests across Punjab demanding action against Atishi.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly defended his government's actions. Accusing the BJP of "cheap and hate-driven politics," he stated, "The BJP edited the video... and added false subtitles." He emphasized that the forensic report proved Atishi never said the word "guru." Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bhardwaj accused Kapil Mishra of "doing a sacrilege by faking the video."
On the other side, BJP's Kapil Mishra remained defiant, asserting, "The video is with the media... Nobody can deny it." Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar questioned the speed of the Punjab police's forensic investigation.
This row has effectively pitted the Punjab executive against the Delhi legislature, creating an unprecedented inter-state constitutional flashpoint. With all key players digging in their heels, the controversy is set to dominate political discourse in both capitals, with long-term implications for the electoral landscape in Punjab.
