AAP Protest Chandigarh: Congress party’s anti-Dalit mindset has once again come to the forefront in Punjab politics. The continuous statements and remarks from Congress leaders have made it clear that party’s attitude towards Dalit community remains disrespectful and insensitive. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken a strong stance on this issue, directly holding the Congress accountable.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly objected, stating that insulting Dalits has become a habit for the Congress. He demanded that Pratap Singh Bajwa and the Congress party apologise within 24 hours. When no apology came from the Congress even after 24 hours, Aam Aadmi Party reacted angrily.
AAP accuses Congress of anti-Dalit mindset, demands apology from Raja Warring and Rahul Gandhi
On Monday, Aam Aadmi Party held a strong protest in Chandigarh against the Congress’s anti-Dalit rhetoric. AAP leaders and workers protested with drums and music, sending a clear message that disrespecting the Dalit community will no longer be tolerated. During the protest, police used water cannons on AAP workers, but the protest continued despite this.
On this entire issue, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema clearly stated that Congress leaders did not just mock Sardar Harbhajan Singh, but also his work, his community, and the entire Dalit brotherhood. Aam Aadmi Party had given the Congress an ultimatum to apologise for this anti-Dalit mindset, but the Congress’s silence has exposed both its intentions and policies.
The accusation that Punjab Congress President Raja Warring threatened a Dalit minister, Harbhajan Singh ETO, with “twisting his neck” is not just a statement, but a reflection of the same Congress mindset that cannot accept Dalit leadership. Aam Aadmi Party clearly states that if the Congress has any shame left, both Raja Warring and Rahul Gandhi should publicly apologise.
AAP’s Dalit-friendly cabinet contrasts with Congress’s alleged mockery and lack of representation
This is not the first time this has happened. Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi himself has stated in a party meeting that despite Dalits constituting 35-38 percent of Punjab’s population, top positions in the Congress party are held by people from “upper castes.” Channi’s question, “Why are we not getting proper representation? Where will we go?” is essentially a public acknowledgement of the frustration felt by the Dalit community within the Congress.
On the other hand, Aam Aadmi Party government’s Punjab cabinet includes six ministers from the Dalit community. This difference clearly explains why the Dalit community in Punjab largely supports the Aam Aadmi Party.
This disrespectful attitude of the Congress towards the Dalit community is not new. Congress Legislative Party leader Pratap Singh Bajwa insulted Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO by saying that he “used to play in a band.” This was not just a joke about an individual, but a mockery of his work, his identity, and his community. The Dalit community considers this an insult to their entire community.
Punjab Dalit community criticises Congress for repeated mockery, lack of representation, and intimidation
Raja Warring’s record is no different. His racist statement about the late former Home Minister Buta Singh, “Have you heard the name Buta Singh? He was dark-skinned, completely black,” is still fresh in the minds of the Dalit community. The question is, is this what Congress calls ‘inclusive politics’?
Regarding this entire incident, Aam Aadmi Party’s National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda tweeted that Punjab Congress leaders are continuously insulting the Dalit community. Citing Raja Warring’s threat to a Dalit minister, Pratap Bajwa’s comments, and past statements by Congress leaders, he said that the Congress’s mindset is inherently anti-Dalit. Anurag Dhanda clearly stated that if the Congress has any shame left, Raja Warring and Rahul Gandhi should immediately apologise to the Dalit community.
AAP Protest Chandigarh
Today, Dalit community of Punjab feels that the Congress has repeatedly played with their dignity, sometimes through threats, sometimes through taunts, and sometimes by denying them proper representation. This is why a clear sentiment is emerging at the grassroots level that the Congress party is no longer a trustworthy party for the Dalit community.
In contrast, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has given the Dalit community respect, representation, and a share in the decision-making process. The trust that the Dalit community placed in the Aam Aadmi Party in 2022 appears to be growing even stronger in 2027. Political analysts believe that this resentment towards the Congress and the increasing trust in the Aam Aadmi Party will play a decisive role in AAP’s significant victory in 2027.
The message from Dalit community of Punjab is clear: they want respect, not humiliation. And this is the respect that Dalit community sees in the Aam Aadmi Party today.
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