Punjab: BJP Sikh leaders walk a tightrope over Ravneet Bittu’s remarks on ‘Satluj’

Lalpura said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘carries the balm’ to heal wounds. “Our collective objective should be to heal wounds and help both Punjab and the Sikh community move forward,” he added.

Also read: Time to remember and heal by Jyoti Malhotra

Explainer: What led to Bittu’s statement on the ‘Satluj’ row, what happens next

During recent years, Sikh BJP leaders have projected the party as a viable alternative for the Sikh community by highlighting episodes during the Congress regime, including the attack on the Akal Takht and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. They argued that the BJP would always be there to address concerns of the Sikhs and deliver justice on these issues.

After the release of “Satluj”, many commentators viewed it as a film dealing with alleged human rights violations, enforced disappearances and fake encounters during the Congress regime. However, some believed that the film had received clearance because it could politically benefit the BJP ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

After the movie was taken down from the OTT platform, its popularity increased, with it being widely watched across the world on social media and public screenings in rural areas.

Initially, the film was seen as a potential political weapon against the Congress, with the party’s senior leadership, including its national leaders and prominent Punjab leaders, largely staying silent on the issue. However, some Punjab Congress leaders, including Charanjit Singh Channi, Pargat Singh and Sukhpal Singh Khaira, publicly supported both the film and Khalra’s struggle.

Also read: Ravneet Bittu unnecessarily raising issue of those already dead: Capt Amarinder on ‘Satluj’ row

Though Bittu and some BJP leaders referred to the violence against Hindus while commenting on the film, Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon adopted a more balanced approach and announced that a three-member committee of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would review the film again.

BJP’s Amritsar (East) segment in-charge, Jagmohan Singh Raju, had also demanded the setting up of a Truth Commission after the film’s release. Earlier, he advocated the Holy City status for Amritsar City, against the BJP’s previous stand in 80s.

However, Bittu’s statements gave Opposition parties an opportunity to question the BJP’s approach to tackle sensitive issues affecting Punjabis.

Senior BJP leader and commentator on Sikh affairs Sarchand Singh said, “Individual opinions should not be mistaken for the party’s official stand. Such personal remarks harm the party.”

He said, “One should look at what PM Narendra Modi is speaking about Sikhs on the international stage in New Zealand, rather than focusing on what Ravneet Singh Bittu is saying. The BJP could not be held responsible for actions committed under the Congress’ regime.”

Sarchand said the party continued to pursue long-pending Sikh issues, including the release of Sikh political prisoners and matters relating to historic gurdwaras.

During the farmers’ stir of 2020-2021, Sikh BJP leaders faced intense anger from farmers and it became very difficult for them to share public platforms.

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