BJP misused video for political gain: LoP Atishi

Atishi, LoP in the Delhi Assembly, on Wednesday rejected allegations that she had insulted Guru Tegh Bahadur, accusing the BJP of deliberately misrepresenting her remarks by circulating a misleading and edited video to create a false controversy.

In a post on social media platform X, Atishi said the video shared by the BJP was recorded after the conclusion of the special discussion marking the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur and had been falsely projected as part of that debate.

“The BJP has deliberately misused the revered name of Guru Tegh Bahadur for its politics. The video being circulated is not from the discussion on the Guru's martyrdom but from a later point when the House had moved on to a debate on the L-G's address,” Atishi said.

Clarifying her remarks, Atishi said she was speaking about the BJP allegedly evading a discussion on pollution and protesting inside the House over the issue of stray dogs. According to her, the BJP maliciously added false subtitles to the video and dragged Guru Tegh Bahadur's name into it.

“In the video, I am clearly talking about pollution and the BJP running away from discussion. I said they were demanding 'respect dogs' and urged the Speaker to allow a discussion. The BJP has falsely linked this to Guru Tegh Bahadur,” she said.

Atishi strongly rejected claims that her words were disrespectful, asserting her personal and familial reverence for the Sikh faith. “I come from a family where, for generations, the eldest son has embraced the Sikh faith to protect society. I can give my life, but I cannot tolerate any insult to Guru Sahib,” she said.

She accused the BJP of harbouring hostility towards the Sikh community and questioned its intent in invoking the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur for political purposes. “Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed his life to protect people of another faith. The BJP is misusing his revered name for petty politics,” she said.