The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) intensified its criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, accusing it of releasing a “doctored video” of Delhi Assembly proceedings that they claim disrespects Sikh Gurus. This development follows a press conference by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta and the registration of a police complaint against Delhi Law Minister Kapil Mishra.
AAP’s Delhi chief, Saurabh Bharadwaj, firmly rejected the BJP’s claims, asserting that an examination of the full Assembly proceedings would confirm that MLA Atishi never used the words “Guru” or “Guruon.” Bharadwaj challenged the Speaker to publicly affirm that Atishi made the alleged remarks and stated that legal action would ensue if Gupta distributed the contested video clip attributed to Mishra.
The political tension escalated further when Bajwa, a Punjab AAP leader, accused the Punjab Police of being misused to intimidate opposition lawmakers rather than focus on public safety, vowing that such tactics would not deter their resolve.
The controversy centers on an FIR registered by the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate related to an edited video allegedly featuring Atishi. The police reported that a forensic analysis indicated the word “Guru” was never spoken by Atishi in the disputed audio clip. Instead, the video was manipulated to misrepresent her statements during a discussion about commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
In response, Speaker Vijender Gupta announced that the Delhi Assembly would address the breach of privilege related to the FIR and emphasized that strict action would be taken against the Jalandhar police commissioner for misusing Assembly material.
Atishi, for her part, called out the BJP for politicizing the issue, asserting that she was discussing the BJP’s evasion of significant issues such as pollution while they diverted attention with their allegations. She expressed her deep-rooted respect for the Sikh faith, emphasizing her family’s long-standing commitment to Sikhism.
This ongoing political drama underscores the complexities of political engagement and highlights significant tensions between AAP and BJP, intertwining elements of spirituality and governance in a charged atmosphere. As the situation develops, it indicates a broader narrative around the responsibilities of political discourse and the sanctity of cultural beliefs.