Atishi row: Day after FIR, AAP workers protests outside Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat's house

The controversy surrounding the alleged remarks made by AAP leader and Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi Marlena got further raked up after an FIR was lodged in this regard by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on Friday.

A day later, Aam Aadmi Party leaders attempted to gherao Congress Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh at his house today for allegedly posting the alleged doctored video of Atishi on his Facebook account.

As AAP workers reached his residence demanding his arrest, Pargat came out and attempted to speak to the protesting ruling party leaders. He was, however, stopped from proceeding towards the agitators by the police.

The MLA said that AAP leaders had failed to respond to his open challenge. He said that he would not get intimidated and would not retreat indoors. “Even if Kejriwal and Sisodia from Delhi file 10 FIRs against me, I will not be afraid,” said the MLA, mockingly referring to the Delhi AAP leaders as “sycophants of Delhi” who lack the courage for real dialogue.

Among the protesting AAP leaders were minister Mohinder Bhagat and Jalandhar Central halqa incharge Nitin Kohli. Both alleged that the videos of the former Delhi CM shared by the MLA were doctored and had been circulated to tarnish her image.

Meanwhile, SAD leaders, led by Iqbal Singh Dhinda, SAD (urban) president, held a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party at Guru Nanak Mission Chowk. They demanded that Atishi be made to step down from the Delhi Vidhan Sabha.

BJP leaders, led by former minister Manoranjan Kalia, held a protest at Company Bagh on the same issue. The BJP leaders burnt the effigy of Atishi and blamed Jalandhar Police for playing into the hands of the ruling AAP leaders. "The Jalandhar police had no jurisdiction to get the video checked through forensic teams. This was only the prerogative of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha to do so," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Bholath Sukhpal Khaira alleged the Jalandhar police had lodged a case against him, Pargat Singh, Sukhbir Badal and others for posting the doctored video. The police, however, maintained that the FIR was registered against unknown persons.

The Delhi Vidhan Sabha has asked the Punjab DGP and Commissioner of Jalandhar to explain to it by January 12 why it intervened into a matter when the proceedings of the House are privileged and the property of the House.