Explained: Row over ex-CM Channi's remarks on jailed MP Amritpal
What's the story
Former Punjab Chief Minister and parliamentarian Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday courted controversy over his statement in the Lok Sabha. Without taking anyone's name, the Congress leader said, "What about the undeclared Emergency in the country today?...A man who was elected as an MP by 20 lakh people in Punjab is behind bars under the NSA." Channi was referring to radical pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh who won the Lok Sabha election from the Khadoor Sahib seat as an independent candidate.
Party stance
Congress distances itself from Channi's remarks
Soon after, the Congress distanced itself from Channi's statement. "The views expressed by Charanjit Singh Channi on Amritpal Singh are his own, and do not reflect in any way the position of the...Congress," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on X. Separately, Punjab Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Bhagwant Mann said, "I am not concerned for what Channi says. I am more concerned for Punjab's law and order." Both parties are part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.
Twitter Post
Watch: Channi's comments in Lok Sabha
#WATCH | In Lok Sabha, former Punjab CM and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi speaks on 'Waris Punjab De' Chief and independent MP from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat Amritpal Singh.
— ANI (@ANI) July 25, 2024
He says, "They speak about Emergency every day. But what about the undeclared Emergency in the… pic.twitter.com/zYJJq6YK9L
Political backlash
BJP leaders criticize Channi's support
BJP leaders criticized his remarks, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla demanding answers from the Congress. In a post on X, Poonawalla said, "Batting for separatists who want tukde tukde of India? Rahul ji must answer-the idea of Khalistan that caused the assassination of PM Indira ji is being hailed!! Why does Congress always bat for separatists and terrorists? Yakub, Afzal, 26/11 jihadis, now K terrorists?" he said.
Reaction
Singh's mother thanks Channi
On Friday, Balwinder Kaur, Singh's mother, thanked Channi for raising the issue of injustice. Speaking to news agency ANI, Kaur said, "We thank Channi ji for raising the issue of all the injustice that is being done to Punjab. I would like to tell everyone that wherever any injustice is taking place, they should speak up. The NSA has invoked action against him and he should be released. We thank Channi Ji for raising his voice for the truth."
Legal troubles
Singh arrested on April 23, 2023
To recall, Singh, chief of radical outfit "Waris Punjab De," was arrested on April 23, 2023 from a gurudrawa in Rode, native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the 14th head of Damdami Taksal and militant separatist who was killed in Operation Blue Star. The Punjab Police launched a crackdown following the Ajnala incident on February 23, 2023. During that event, Singh and his friends, weilding weapons, broke through barriers and went into a police station outside of Amritsar city.
Criminal cases
9 of Singh's associates lodged in Dibrugarh jail
They clashed with law enforcement officers in an effort to secure the release of Lovepreet Singh Toofan, one of their associates. Singh and his companions faced multiple criminal charges, including inciting disharmony among communities, attempted murder, assaults on police personnel, and obstructing the lawful duties of public servants. Nine of his associates are also lodged in Dibrugarh jail.