Warring Defends Bajwa, Slams AAP for 'Suppressing Dissent' on Ambedkar Jayanti

• Apr 15, 2025

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, during his visit to the city on the occasion of Dr. BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, extended heartfelt greetings to the people and paid floral tributes to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He said Ambedkar's legacy continues to inspire the nation’s ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

Speaking to the media, Warring came out strongly in support of senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, against whom an FIR was filed a day earlier by Punjab Police over his comments about security threats in the state. He condemned the state government’s action, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of misusing state machinery to intimidate Opposition leaders.

“This is nothing but an attempt to silence critics. The Congress party will meet and decide on the next steps collectively,” Warring stated, stressing that the political space for free expression was shrinking under the current government.

Warring also revealed that a police notice had been served at Bajwa’s residence, summoning him for an appearance. However, Bajwa, citing pre-scheduled commitments, had already informed the police of his unavailability.

Questioning the government's priorities, Warring said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should be focusing on real security threats rather than targeting political opponents. He added that Central intelligence agencies had already alerted the Punjab government about a possible grenade attack on a prominent Hindu leader, a fact that should not be ignored.

“Instead of protecting citizens, the Mann government is directing its energy towards suppressing voices of dissent. This is a dangerous trend,” Warring said. He also pointed out that with only 23 months remaining in AAP’s term and the Model Code of Conduct approaching, such political tactics could backfire.

Criticizing the ruling party’s conduct in the Assembly, Warring said, “Even the Leader of the Opposition is not being allowed to speak freely. The world has witnessed the kind of behavior that goes on inside the Vidhan Sabha.”

He concluded by warning that political vendettas do not go unnoticed and reiterated the Congress party’s resolve to fight for democratic space and the right to raise concerns freely.