BJP prez pulls up lawmakers for condoling Sajjan Kumar’s death

BJP president Nitin Nabin expressed disapproval on Saturday for three Delhi lawmakers who met with the family of convicted former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar following his death, according to sources. The lawmakers in question, Kamlajeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and Yogender Chandolia, were summoned by Nabin for their actions, which he deemed a departure from party policy.

The BJP has long advocated for justice for victims of the 1984 Sikh riots that erupted after the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sajjan Kumar, who died on August 20 in prison, was serving two life sentences for the killings during the violence. A senior party official noted that the lawmakers' actions embarrassed the party, as it has consistently championed justice for Sikh victims, a cause that gained momentum after the BJP's rise to power in 2014.

A dedicated Special Investigation Team was formed in 2015 to reinvestigate cases that had been neglected under the previous Congress government. The controversy also has potential implications in Punjab, where the BJP plans to contest upcoming assembly elections independently. Party officials emphasized that while respectful distance is generally maintained with political opponents, Kumar's conviction and the BJP's efforts to hold those responsible accountable make this case unique.

"In such a case, there cannot be a distinction between the party and the personal," the official added. On Friday, the BJP took disciplinary action against three leaders in Punjab for making public statements questioning the party leadership during a press conference. Randeep Singh Deol, Maninder Singh Kapial, and Jatinder Kalra faced notices for allegedly breaching party norms and damaging the party's reputation.

The party demands written explanations from the three leaders within seven days, arguing that their actions could negatively impact the party's image and organizational discipline.