The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Monday staged a strong protest in Chandigarh against controversial remarks made by Punjab Congress leaders targeting Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. The protest turned tense as Chandigarh Police used water cannons to stop AAP leaders and workers from marching towards the MLA Hostel.
Heavy police barricading was put in place to prevent protesters from advancing. However, when demonstrators refused to disperse, police resorted to water cannons. Several AAP leaders and workers were taken into custody during the protest. Reports also claimed that turbans of some protesters came off during the police action, triggering further outrage.
According to information, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, and several other AAP leaders were detained by the police.
The protest was sparked by remarks made by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, who allegedly said that Harbhajan Singh ETO earlier played in a band and is now “playing the band of Punjab.” Following this, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring reportedly made a highly controversial statement, threatening to twist the minister’s neck and saying it would take “only three minutes,” adding that Rahul Gandhi had taught them not to be afraid.
These statements triggered widespread anger within the Aam Aadmi Party.
Addressing the gathering during the protest, Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO strongly hit back, saying that people who were not even capable of becoming clerks were now occupying top positions in the Congress party. He said AAP leaders have entered politics after leaving respectable professions or businesses and have risen through hard work.
Defending his background, Harbhajan Singh ETO said he is proud of his father’s profession and of being the son of a band player. “My father never indulged in smuggling. I cleared the PCS examination and became an ETO. Congress leaders were born with silver spoons, which is why they fail to respect hardworking people,” he said.
The incident has further intensified the political confrontation between the ruling AAP and the Congress in Punjab.
