Punjab Congress has sought to distance itself from remarks by Haryana Congress member of Parliament from Rohtak Deepender Hooda, in which he described former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar as an “example” and termed his death an “irreparable loss” to the country’s political landscape.
The comments triggered a political controversy in Punjab, with Congress leaders in the state taking a markedly different position from Deepender and reiterating that the victims and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh violence must not be forgotten.
Congress MP from Jalandhar and former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, during his visit to Ludhiana on Saturday, launched an attack on Kumar and rejected any attempt to portray him as a role model. Channi described Kumar as a “murderer of the Sikhs”, a “traitor” and a person who had brought shame to humanity and justice.
Later, in a video message posted on X, Channi said it was unacceptable to praise Kumar, who died in prison while serving life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.
“Far from being a role model, even uttering his name is a sin,” Channi said, adding that those who praised Kumar should remember the thousands of Sikhs who were killed during the violence.
{{/usCountry}}“Far from being a role model, even uttering his name is a sin,” Channi said, adding that those who praised Kumar should remember the thousands of Sikhs who were killed during the violence.
{{/usCountry}}Channi further said that Kumar should have faced the strictest possible punishment for his role in the killings. He stressed that the issue was not confined to the Sikh community or Punjab, but concerned the larger question of justice and humanity.
“How can the Sikh community, Punjabis and the country forgive him?” Channi asked, while pointing to the continuing trauma suffered by families who lost their loved ones in 1984.
He said that even after more than four decades, the pain of the victims’ families remained deeply embedded in their memories. According to Channi, people responsible for crimes against innocent citizens could not be turned into role models.
The controversy erupted after Deepender made remarks following Kumar’s death at the age of 80. He was serving two life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Deepender had described Kumar as a personality whose connection with people extended beyond Delhi and said his contribution to Delhi’s development was remembered. He also said Kumar’s death represented a loss on the country’s political horizon.
“His example is given, and the way he stood by people in their joys and sorrows, and the contribution he made to Delhi’s development, is remembered to this day,” Deepender said.
The remarks immediately came under criticism, particularly in Punjab, where the 1984 anti-Sikh violence remains a deeply sensitive political and social issue.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring also sought to separate the state Congress unit from Hooda’s comments. Warring said Hooda’s statement could be his “personal view”.
Warring described the 1984 violence as a “massive tragedy” and said neither Sikhs nor non-Sikhs could forget the suffering and trauma caused by the events.
“No person whether a Sikh or a non-Sikh can forget the pain and trauma of 1984,” Warring said while speaking to reporters, adding that the Congress had always stood in solidarity with those affected by the tragedy.
The issue has also provided ammunition to rival parties in Punjab. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have criticised Congress and demanded that the party clarify whether Hooda’s comments reflected its official position.
AAP Punjab spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said the wounds of the 1984 violence were still alive in the hearts of Sikh families and described Hooda’s remarks as deeply hurtful.
Dhaliwal questioned the Congress leadership over whether Deepender’s statement represented the party’s official position. He demanded action against Deepender and called upon Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify their stand.
The AAP leader further sought clarification from Congress ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to Punjab and Amritsar, asking how the party leadership could seek support from Sikh voters while one of its senior leaders had made such comments about Kumar.
The BJP has also criticised Hooda’s remarks. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said the wounds of families affected by the 1984 violence remained unhealed even after more than four decades.
He described the portrayal of Kumar as a “role model” as particularly insensitive and said such remarks amounted to reopening the painful memories of victim families.
SAD leaders, including Bikram Singh Majithia and Daljit Singh Cheema, demanded an unconditional apology from Deepender and the Congress, stating the remarks deeply hurt the Sikh community and riot victims.