Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar slams AAP govt’s ‘media muzzle’ bid, vows to take on ‘Sheesh Mahal’

BJP Punjab president Sunil Jakhar said today that the AAP government in the state is trying to arm-twist the media and is taking advantage of mutual disputes between media houses.

Jakhar’s comments came in the wake of the arrest of 16 BJP and Congress leaders in Jalandhar on Tuesday night, who were taken into police custody for hours for protesting against the demolition of a portion of a private hotel in Jalandhar, owned by a vernacular media house.

Taking pointed digs at AAP leaders and party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Jakhar repeatedly used the term “Sheesh Mahal” and said, “Tuhade vale ‘Sheesh Mahal’ te vi taale laggan vale hai”.

Targeting the Congress, Jakhar said senior Congress leadership in the state was on the payroll of AAP leaders and wouldn’t stand up for people. He said BJP stands in solidarity with its leaders who stood up for “democracy”.

Jakhar was accompanied by BJP leaders Sheetal Angural, Manoranjan Kalia, and Ashok Sareen Hikki, who were among those arrested. Addressing media at Punjab Press Club, Jakhar said, “I’m not here for a media house, demolition of a certain hotel, or legality of the action. My opposition is against muzzling voices of dissent. Everyone has the right to speak up. I’ve come here to congratulate party members today because they faced action for standing up for democracy and people. None of the leaders of my party who were arrested have cases against them in land or liquor scams, etc., unlike Kejriwal or Sisodia Sahib, who served jail time.”

Targeting Arvind Kejriwal, Jakhar said, “Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones at others. My issue isn’t with a newspaper group, but the larger loot and lies prevailing in the state on every issue. The government is trying to arm-twist media houses and taking advantage of their mutual feuds. Not just one media house, but social media, YouTubers, newspapers, and television are similarly targeted. The roots of democracy are being decimated.”

He added, “We will also demolish ‘Sheesh Mahals’ created by these AAP leaders.”

Jakhar said, “The problem is that the state police isn’t mobilised where it’s needed. Instead, police are being employed against media. A word ‘Sheesh Mahal’ had been used in a news report, and now homes and hotels are being demolished. But this is Punjab. Here, homes won’t be demolished. No one feels safe in Punjab. Even police don’t feel safe.”

When asked if BJP was in solidarity with the Congress on these specific arrests, Jakhar said, “I’m with everyone who raises a voice against injustice. But these leaders won't stand with people. The entire senior leadership of the Congress is on the payroll of Bhagwant Mann and Kejriwal. They won’t side with the public. However, our leaders know our party stands behind us.”