BJP Trying to Suppress Punjab’s Glorious History - AAP MP Asks, “Why Fear a Discussion on Guru Sahib’s Martyrdom?”

Punjab: The 'Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)' has launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central Government after the permission for a seminar dedicated to the '350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji' was abruptly canceled.

AAP MP from Sri Anandpur Sahib and the party’s Punjab General Secretary 'Malvinder Singh Kang' strongly condemned the move, calling it “highly unfortunate” and “deeply distressing.” He accused the BJP of attempting to 'erase and suppress Punjab’s glorious history and heritage.'

What MP Kang said?

MP Kang alleged that this decision was taken by the university administration 'under political pressure from its ‘masters in Delhi’', a direct reference to the Central Government. He questioned, “Why is there fear in discussing the sacrifice and martyrdom of Guru Sahib? What threat does the truth of our Gurus pose to them?”

What MP Kang said said about Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib?

A former student of Punjab University and two-time president of its student council, Kang said in his press statement that 'the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is not just an inspiration for the Sikh community but for the entire humanity.' He added, “Guru Sahib sacrificed His life not merely to protect religion, but to preserve the values of civilization, humanity, and freedom of conscience in this country.”

What he said about BJP? 

Kang accused the university administration of acting under direct orders from Delhi, saying, “The Vice Chancellor is under pressure from the BJP government at the Centre. The BJP does not want the glorious legacy of ‘Hind Di Chadar’ to reach our younger generations.” He compared this move to the earlier incident of 'removing the portrait of Shaheed Bhai Jaswant Singh Khalra, calling it part of a broader attempt to ''silence Punjab’s youth and suppress Sikh heritage.'

The AAP MP revealed that according to information received from students, the permission for the seminar, scheduled for 'October 27', was 'revoked because prominent Sikh scholar and thinker Sardar Ajmer Singh' was invited to speak at the event, and some labeled him “controversial.”

What he said about Sardar Ajmer Singh?

Kang completely dismissed this reasoning, stating that 'Sardar Ajmer Singh has been an active public intellectual for over three decades, has no criminal record, and has spoken at ''universities across India and abroad.' “Stopping him from speaking,” Kang said, “is a direct assault on academic freedom and intellectual discourse.”

What MP Kang stated in the letter to Prof. Renu Vig?

MP Kang has written a formal letter to Vice Chancellor 'Prof. Renu Vig, urging her to ''intervene immediately and restore permission' for the seminar. He emphasized that the history and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji 'should be part of academic curriculum', so that the younger generation can draw inspiration from His supreme sacrifice and contribute to a better future.

What he said about AAP govt in Punjab?

He further appealed to the Vice Chancellor not to bow down to political pressure and allow the students to hold the seminar, stating that 'the entire world recognizes and reveres Guru Sahib’s unparalleled martyrdom.' Kang said the 'AAP government in Punjab is fully committed to protecting the state’s heritage and the voice of its youth, and will ''strongly oppose any attempt by the BJP or the Central Government to suppress Punjab’s historical legacy or academic freedom.'

What he asked the university administration?

Kang reiterated that this cancellation is part of a 'pattern of cultural censorship' seen under the BJP rule, where discussions on Sikh history, icons of Punjab, and freedom of thought are systematically being curtailed. He concluded by urging the university administration to “rise above narrow political compulsions” and restore the dignity of the institution by allowing open dialogue and respect for Guru Sahib’s supreme sacrifice.