Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Sunday, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order in the state. He pointedly referenced a statement made by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal a month prior, claiming that criminal elements had defiantly "picked up the gauntlet" thrown at them.
A Month of Rising Violence After Kejriwal's Ultimatum
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on December 7, Jakhar reminded the media of an event from exactly a month ago. On November 7, during the Tarn Taran by-election campaign, Arvind Kejriwal had issued a stern warning to gangsters in Punjab. The Delhi Chief Minister had given them a seven-day deadline to either leave the state or face severe consequences, with the ultimatum expiring on November 14.
"A gauntlet was thrown down, and what happened after that... if I start counting the incidents, it seems they (gangsters) took it as a challenge and picked up the gauntlet," Jakhar stated. He asserted that not a single day has passed since November 7 without a shooting, murder, or a so-called encounter reported in Punjab, creating an atmosphere of terror.
Questioning Police Priorities and Credibility
The BJP leader raised serious questions about the functioning and priorities of the Punjab Police. He highlighted the force's top-heavy structure, noting that Punjab has 17 Special DGPs and 13 ADGP-rank officers, while neighboring Haryana functions with just one DGP. Despite this, he claimed, the force has failed to curb violence.
Jakhar made several grave allegations against the police administration:
- He accused the police of being deployed for "illegal extortion activities" following the failure of government policies.
- He claimed officers are pressuring citizens for illegal money collection and helping AAP leaders rig elections, undermining democratic processes.
- He referenced the controversial interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, which the DGP initially claimed did not happen in Punjab but was later proven otherwise in a High Court-supervised investigation.
Demand for Impartial Probes and a Call for Unity
Jakhar specifically criticized the police's handling of a recent purported audio clip involving Patiala police. He said the police hastily declared the audio as AI-generated within two hours, without a proper inquiry, and instead targeted journalists and political leaders with summons. "Fine, then tell us which lab certified it? Share the details," he challenged, adding that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was in Japan and Kejriwal was elsewhere, leaving no one accountable.
Terming this approach "deeply concerning for the media and political fraternity," Jakhar demanded an impartial investigation into the audio clip. He also cited the recent arrest of DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for alleged extortion as evidence of corruption within the force.
"The common people suffer. Shopkeepers, workers, ordinary citizens — they are the ones targeted by these uniformed extortionists," Jakhar emphasized. He called upon all political parties and media organizations to unite against this "injustice," stating it was not an issue confined to any single party but a matter of public concern.
In a concluding political pitch, Jakhar promised that if the BJP is given a chance by the people of Punjab, such extortionists within the police would be firmly disciplined. He acknowledged the Punjab Police as a capable force but lamented that a few individuals in uniform had damaged its reputation.
