August 21, 2026

SC dismisses Sukhbir Badal’s plea against defamation case over BKI-AKJ remarks NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with criminal defamation proceedings against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal over alleged remarks linking religious organisation Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) with banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu dismissed Badal’s challenge. The proceedings were initiated by Rajinder Pal Singh, an AKJ member who alleged that the former minister’s remarks damaged his reputation by associating him with the banned organisation.”We have read this order. What is alleged against you (Badal)? You say that this organisation is a terrorist organisation and this complainant is the spokesperson of the other organisation which is the political front…,” the bench said.According to PTI, advocate appearing for Badal said, “He (complainant) says he is the spokesperson. We don’t know who has authorised him.”The bench then dismissed the plea.What’s the case?The controversy dates back to the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, when then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal visited Singh’s residence. Badal had subsequently accused Kejriwal of reaching out to “radicals” in Punjab, according to the allegations in the complaint.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA Chandigarh magistrate later took cognisance of the complaint and summoned Badal. Badal challenged the proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, but the court rejected his plea in October 2025.Badal then approached the Supreme Court, which on Friday found no ground to interfere with the pending proceedings, news agency ANI reported.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks’Not Mahatma Gandhi’s Congress’: FULL Vande Mataram Rejected At INC Events, BJP Doubts ‘Loyalty’123PhotostoriesWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing5 natural ways to keep cockroaches away from your home123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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SC dismisses Sukhbir Badal’s plea against defamation case over BKI-AKJ remarks NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with criminal defamation proceedings against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal over alleged remarks linking religious organisation Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) with banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu dismissed Badal’s challenge. The proceedings were initiated by Rajinder Pal Singh, an AKJ member who alleged that the former minister’s remarks damaged his reputation by associating him with the banned organisation.”We have read this order. What is alleged against you (Badal)? You say that this organisation is a terrorist organisation and this complainant is the spokesperson of the other organisation which is the political front…,” the bench said.According to PTI, advocate appearing for Badal said, “He (complainant) says he is the spokesperson. We don’t know who has authorised him.”The bench then dismissed the plea.What’s the case?The controversy dates back to the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, when then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal visited Singh’s residence. Badal had subsequently accused Kejriwal of reaching out to “radicals” in Punjab, according to the allegations in the complaint.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesA Chandigarh magistrate later took cognisance of the complaint and summoned Badal. Badal challenged the proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, but the court rejected his plea in October 2025.Badal then approached the Supreme Court, which on Friday found no ground to interfere with the pending proceedings, news agency ANI reported.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks’Not Mahatma Gandhi’s Congress’: FULL Vande Mataram Rejected At INC Events, BJP Doubts ‘Loyalty’123PhotostoriesWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing5 natural ways to keep cockroaches away from your home123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir


SC scraps SAD chief Badal’s plea to quash 2017 defamation case over linking AKJ with terror outfit
SC dismisses Sukhbir Badal’s plea against defamation case over BKI-AKJ remarks

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with criminal defamation proceedings against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal over alleged remarks linking religious organisation Akhand Kirtani Jatha (AKJ) with banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu dismissed Badal’s challenge. The proceedings were initiated by Rajinder Pal Singh, an AKJ member who alleged that the former minister’s remarks damaged his reputation by associating him with the banned organisation.“We have read this order. What is alleged against you (Badal)? You say that this organisation is a terrorist organisation and this complainant is the spokesperson of the other organisation which is the political front…,” the bench said.According to PTI, advocate appearing for Badal said, “He (complainant) says he is the spokesperson. We don’t know who has authorised him.”The bench then dismissed the plea.What’s the case?The controversy dates back to the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, when then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal visited Singh’s residence. Badal had subsequently accused Kejriwal of reaching out to “radicals” in Punjab, according to the allegations in the complaint.

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BJP-SAD alliance buzz has grown ahead of next year’s assembly polls. NEW DELHI: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday said that people in Punjab want his party to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the upcoming polls.Majithia cited Punjab’s status as a border state and the need to protect social harmony and the state’s social fabric as reasons for public sentiment favouring a reunion.”We should understand that the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP have worked together. Vajpayee ji and Badal ji strengthened this alliance, and it continued during Modi ji’s time,” Majithia said.The SAD and BJP had been allies for several decades and contested multiple Assembly and Lok Sabha elections together before their relationship broke down over the Centre’s farm laws.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe SAD withdrew from the BJP-led NDA in 2020 in protest against the farm legislation, bringing an end to the alliance in Punjab.”We had gone our separate ways over the farm laws. But considering Punjab’s situation as a border state, social harmony and the social fabric, people want the two parties to come together,” Majithia said.However, he made it clear that no decision had been taken on a possible alliance and that the final call would rest with the leadership of both parties.”Whether they will come together will be decided by the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal leadership. Harsimrat Badal has expressed the people’s sentiments. What the outcome will be, only time will tell,” he said.His remarks come amid growing political discussion in Punjab over the possibility of a realignment between the SAD and BJP ahead of the next assembly election.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

BJP-SAD alliance buzz has grown ahead of next year’s assembly polls. NEW DELHI: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday said that people in Punjab want his party to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the upcoming polls.Majithia cited Punjab’s status as a border state and the need to protect social harmony and the state’s social fabric as reasons for public sentiment favouring a reunion.”We should understand that the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP have worked together. Vajpayee ji and Badal ji strengthened this alliance, and it continued during Modi ji’s time,” Majithia said.The SAD and BJP had been allies for several decades and contested multiple Assembly and Lok Sabha elections together before their relationship broke down over the Centre’s farm laws.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe SAD withdrew from the BJP-led NDA in 2020 in protest against the farm legislation, bringing an end to the alliance in Punjab.”We had gone our separate ways over the farm laws. But considering Punjab’s situation as a border state, social harmony and the social fabric, people want the two parties to come together,” Majithia said.However, he made it clear that no decision had been taken on a possible alliance and that the final call would rest with the leadership of both parties.”Whether they will come together will be decided by the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal leadership. Harsimrat Badal has expressed the people’s sentiments. What the outcome will be, only time will tell,” he said.His remarks come amid growing political discussion in Punjab over the possibility of a realignment between the SAD and BJP ahead of the next assembly election.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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CJP alleges BJP ‘attacked’ them over buffalo shed school inspection; BJP MLA says “no use of cockroach inside a house.” NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party’s attempt to inspect a government school in Rajasthan triggered a political storm after party members alleged they were attacked while trying to visit a school they claimed had been operating from a buffalo shed for years.”BJP goons have once again resorted to violence against our team. The BJP is fine with children continuing to study in a buffalo shed, but if we try to get these schools fixed, that is not acceptable to them,” CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka posted on X.The confrontation took place in Kanvarpura village in Jaipur district’s Bagru Assembly constituency, where a CJP delegation had travelled to inspect the school’s condition. Videos shared by CJP showed a scuffle breaking out between members of the delegation and a group of men near the village, with stones allegedly thrown at their vehicle, damaging its rear windshield. The party claimed around 40 members were injured and taken to a hospital in Jaipur.Ranka later alleged the attack was carried out at the behest of Rajasthan education minister Madan Dilawar. “The school will be fixed, one way or another,” CJP said.BJP MLA Gopal Sharma mocked the party, saying: “What is CJP? There is no use of a cockroach inside a house. Children and youth belong in a house.”Rajasthan junior home minister Jawahar Singh Bedham alleged that Congress supporters were operating behind the CJP banner, while social justice minister Avinash Gehlot called the group “a party of anarchic elements.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesEducation minister Madan Dilawar urged schools not to become “political arenas,” saying certain groups were attempting to spoil the educational environment for publicity.The Congress rallied behind the activists. Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot criticised the Rajasthan government’s decision to restrict visits by outsiders to government schools and accused it of trying to hide failures in the education system.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPrisha PatnaikPrisha Patnaik is a journalist with The Times of India, writing across geopolitics, international affairs, culture, history and internet culture. With over two years of experience in social media and digital content, she is interested in how news, politics and culture are shaped for digital audiences. She holds a master’s degree in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

CJP alleges BJP ‘attacked’ them over buffalo shed school inspection; BJP MLA says “no use of cockroach inside a house.” NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party’s attempt to inspect a government school in Rajasthan triggered a political storm after party members alleged they were attacked while trying to visit a school they claimed had been operating from a buffalo shed for years.”BJP goons have once again resorted to violence against our team. The BJP is fine with children continuing to study in a buffalo shed, but if we try to get these schools fixed, that is not acceptable to them,” CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka posted on X.The confrontation took place in Kanvarpura village in Jaipur district’s Bagru Assembly constituency, where a CJP delegation had travelled to inspect the school’s condition. Videos shared by CJP showed a scuffle breaking out between members of the delegation and a group of men near the village, with stones allegedly thrown at their vehicle, damaging its rear windshield. The party claimed around 40 members were injured and taken to a hospital in Jaipur.Ranka later alleged the attack was carried out at the behest of Rajasthan education minister Madan Dilawar. “The school will be fixed, one way or another,” CJP said.BJP MLA Gopal Sharma mocked the party, saying: “What is CJP? There is no use of a cockroach inside a house. Children and youth belong in a house.”Rajasthan junior home minister Jawahar Singh Bedham alleged that Congress supporters were operating behind the CJP banner, while social justice minister Avinash Gehlot called the group “a party of anarchic elements.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesEducation minister Madan Dilawar urged schools not to become “political arenas,” saying certain groups were attempting to spoil the educational environment for publicity.The Congress rallied behind the activists. Former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot criticised the Rajasthan government’s decision to restrict visits by outsiders to government schools and accused it of trying to hide failures in the education system.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPrisha PatnaikPrisha Patnaik is a journalist with The Times of India, writing across geopolitics, international affairs, culture, history and internet culture. With over two years of experience in social media and digital content, she is interested in how news, politics and culture are shaped for digital audiences. She holds a master’s degree in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the FIR over an alleged pellet gun injury suffered by student protester Sahil Lochab during the July 20 march is “the first step towards justice.”While showing the copy of the FIR, the Congress leader said that the “final okay” for lodging the case had to come from the home secretary and home minister Amit Shah.”This is the first step towards justice. The case has been registered. It has been a month since he was hit by that bullet. Pellets are still lodged in his body; three are in his eye, and he cannot see out of it. Three or four are near his heart. A grave injustice has been done to this young man. We arrived here at 11:00 or 11:30 this morning. We have been here all this time – it is now nearly a quarter to seven – and only now has the FIR been filed,” Rahul said.”Just imagine: in this country, so many women are raped, so many children are killed, so many people are shot, and so many carry pellets in their bodies. This police station is right in the heart of Delhi, yet justice is not being served here. Imagine what must happen at a police station in a village or a small town. We haven’t done anything wrong here; we simply sought justice for an Indian citizen – for his mother and father – and it took 8 hours. The final approval – the ultimate ‘okay’ – had to come from the Home Secretary and Amit Shah himself. Only then was the FIR finally issued. So, you can understand who was holding up the FIR. These police officers wanted to register it; the others wanted to do it too, but the brakes on justice were being applied from the top,” he added.Delhi Police has registered the FIR under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 118 of the BNS deals with voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, while Section 125 deals with acts endangering the life or personal safety of others.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThis comes after Rahul accompanied Lochab to the DCP office and demanded action on his complaint alleging excessive use of force during the students’ “Sansad Chalo” march.Rahul later staged a sit-in outside the police station, alleging that police had refused to register the complaint. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined him in the dharna.After meeting senior police officials, Rahul had alleged that Lochab was not being allowed to file an FIR.”Sahil wants to file FIR for justice, but that is not being allowed,” Rahul said.He then sat on a dharna outside the police station with Lochab. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed at the spot as the confrontation continued.Rahul accused the authorities of undermining constitutional principles, saying that refusing to register an FIR amounted to the “Constitution being trampled.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? 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How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the FIR over an alleged pellet gun injury suffered by student protester Sahil Lochab during the July 20 march is “the first step towards justice.”While showing the copy of the FIR, the Congress leader said that the “final okay” for lodging the case had to come from the home secretary and home minister Amit Shah.”This is the first step towards justice. The case has been registered. It has been a month since he was hit by that bullet. Pellets are still lodged in his body; three are in his eye, and he cannot see out of it. Three or four are near his heart. A grave injustice has been done to this young man. We arrived here at 11:00 or 11:30 this morning. We have been here all this time – it is now nearly a quarter to seven – and only now has the FIR been filed,” Rahul said.”Just imagine: in this country, so many women are raped, so many children are killed, so many people are shot, and so many carry pellets in their bodies. This police station is right in the heart of Delhi, yet justice is not being served here. Imagine what must happen at a police station in a village or a small town. We haven’t done anything wrong here; we simply sought justice for an Indian citizen – for his mother and father – and it took 8 hours. The final approval – the ultimate ‘okay’ – had to come from the Home Secretary and Amit Shah himself. Only then was the FIR finally issued. So, you can understand who was holding up the FIR. These police officers wanted to register it; the others wanted to do it too, but the brakes on justice were being applied from the top,” he added.Delhi Police has registered the FIR under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 118 of the BNS deals with voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, while Section 125 deals with acts endangering the life or personal safety of others.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThis comes after Rahul accompanied Lochab to the DCP office and demanded action on his complaint alleging excessive use of force during the students’ “Sansad Chalo” march.Rahul later staged a sit-in outside the police station, alleging that police had refused to register the complaint. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined him in the dharna.After meeting senior police officials, Rahul had alleged that Lochab was not being allowed to file an FIR.”Sahil wants to file FIR for justice, but that is not being allowed,” Rahul said.He then sat on a dharna outside the police station with Lochab. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed at the spot as the confrontation continued.Rahul accused the authorities of undermining constitutional principles, saying that refusing to register an FIR amounted to the “Constitution being trampled.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? Inside US Envoy Gor’s ‘Kashmir’ Remark That Rattled PakistanJharkhand High Court Stays Soren Govt’s Order To Cancel JPSC Exams, AppointmentsKangana Vs Ramdev: BJP MP Fires Back After Yoga Guru Questions Her Past And Controversial Remarks123PhotostoriesOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals your secret dominant traitH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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Deepender Hooda had posted a tribute on the death of ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar. NEW DELHI: Punjab Congress leaders on Friday sought to distance the party’s state unit from Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda’s remarks describing former party MP and 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar as a “role model nationwide”. The leaders said the party stood with those who were killed and affected by the violence and that it was Hooda’s “personal views”.The pushback from Punjab Congress came a day after Sajjan Singh Kumar, who was serving a life sentence in connection with the 1984 riots, died at the age of 84 at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.Hooda had described Kumar’s death as an “irreparable loss” to the country’s political landscape and said he had been a prominent figure whose connect with people was “exemplary”.The remarks triggered sharp criticism from Sikh groups, opposition parties and families of riot victims, forcing Congress leaders in Punjab to clarify that Hooda’s comments did not reflect their position.’We stand with those who died’Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said Kumar had committed “misdeeds”, had been punished for them and could not be held up as a model for political leadership.”Sajjan Kumar did misdeeds. He has been punished for his actions. A leader does not lead in harming others. We stand with those who died due to him,” Aujla said in Amritsar.Asked specifically about Hooda’s remarks, Aujla said they should be viewed as the Haryana MP’s personal opinion.”It must be the personal opinion of Hooda ji but our view is that whatever happened and whoever it happened with, we stand with them, the victims,” he said.Punjab Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka also sought to put the focus on the victims of the violence.”Sajjan Kumar’s life had been full of controversies. This is a matter related to Punjab and Punjabis have been hurt. If Sajjan Kumar is being held responsible for it, we first stand in support of those innocent people; Sajjan Kumar comes only later,” Verka said.”I don’t know who said what. We are Punjabis and we will continue to stand with Punjabis,” he added.Congress MP Manish Tewari, however, declined to comment directly on Hooda’s statement, saying he had not read it.”I haven’t read the statement, so it won’t be correct to comment on it,” Tewari saidWhat Deepender Hooda saidHooda’s comments came after Kumar’s death on Thursday.Speaking to ANI, Hooda described Kumar’s death as a loss to the political landscape and praised his public connect.”Today, the country’s political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss… He is cited as a role model nationwide,” Hooda had said.The remarks quickly became controversial given Kumar’s conviction in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.Kumar was a three-time parliamentarian and had faced criminal proceedings over the violence for decades. His legal journey included both acquittals and convictions before higher courts.BJP, SAD attack CongressThe BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal sharply criticised Hooda and questioned whether his remarks represented the Congress’s broader position.BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu accused Kumar and his associates of systematically targeting Sikh families during the 1984 violence and alleged that the Congress leadership had protected him for years.Bittu called on the Punjab and Delhi Congress units to clarify their position on Hooda’s comments.The Shiromani Akali Dal also demanded an apology from Hooda and the Congress.SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia condemned the statement and said Congress should apologise.”How can a person like Jagdish Tytler, HKL Bhagat…and all those who killed our innocent Sikh brothers in broad daylight and are responsible for the murder of around 3,000 people during the 1984 riots, be called role models?” Majithia said.He also questioned whether Hooda would continue to remain in the Congress after making the remarks.SAD leader Daljeet Singh Cheema said Hooda should have considered the impact of his comments on families whose homes were destroyed and relatives killed during the violence.”When you glorify the life of such people in public, it causes a great deal of hurt to the Sikh community,” Cheema said.The president of the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Victim Welfare Society, Surjit Singh, also condemned Hooda’s remarks, saying victims had still not received justice.Victims’ family react to Sajjan Kumar’s deathThe controversy unfolded alongside emotional reactions from families affected by the 1984 violence.Ganga Kaur, a member of a riot-affected family, said members of her family had been killed during the violence.”Members of our family were burned alive in front of us. Sajjan Kumar died naturally, but we would have found greater peace if he had been executed,” she told ANI.Another victim-family member, who identified himself as Surjit Singh, said seven members of his family were burned alive during the riots.”It is very unfortunate that Deepender Hooda is siding a criminal. He should be ashamed of praising a person who is responsible for the massacre of so many people,” he said.Sajjan Kumar died at Safdarjung Hospital on Thursday at the age of 84. Hospital authorities said he had a history of high blood pressure and Parkinson’s disease and had been admitted after being brought to the hospital by police with altered sensorium.Kumar had been serving a life sentence after the Delhi high court in December 2018 overturned his acquittal in the Raj Nagar case, relating to the killing of five members of a Sikh family and the burning of a gurdwara during the 1984 violence.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe surrendered and was lodged in Tihar Jail in December 2018.In February 2025, a Delhi court sentenced Kumar to another life term in the Saraswati Vihar case over the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh during the riots. The court spared him the death penalty, citing his age, medical condition and conduct while serving his earlier sentence.In another case relating to violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri, a Rouse Avenue court acquitted Kumar in January 2026 of charges linked to the killing of Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh and the burning of Gurcharan Singh. The Delhi high court subsequently issued notice on an appeal against the acquittal.(With agency inputs)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? 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Deepender Hooda had posted a tribute on the death of ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar. NEW DELHI: Punjab Congress leaders on Friday sought to distance the party’s state unit from Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda’s remarks describing former party MP and 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar as a “role model nationwide”. The leaders said the party stood with those who were killed and affected by the violence and that it was Hooda’s “personal views”.The pushback from Punjab Congress came a day after Sajjan Singh Kumar, who was serving a life sentence in connection with the 1984 riots, died at the age of 84 at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.Hooda had described Kumar’s death as an “irreparable loss” to the country’s political landscape and said he had been a prominent figure whose connect with people was “exemplary”.The remarks triggered sharp criticism from Sikh groups, opposition parties and families of riot victims, forcing Congress leaders in Punjab to clarify that Hooda’s comments did not reflect their position.’We stand with those who died’Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said Kumar had committed “misdeeds”, had been punished for them and could not be held up as a model for political leadership.”Sajjan Kumar did misdeeds. He has been punished for his actions. A leader does not lead in harming others. We stand with those who died due to him,” Aujla said in Amritsar.Asked specifically about Hooda’s remarks, Aujla said they should be viewed as the Haryana MP’s personal opinion.”It must be the personal opinion of Hooda ji but our view is that whatever happened and whoever it happened with, we stand with them, the victims,” he said.Punjab Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka also sought to put the focus on the victims of the violence.”Sajjan Kumar’s life had been full of controversies. This is a matter related to Punjab and Punjabis have been hurt. If Sajjan Kumar is being held responsible for it, we first stand in support of those innocent people; Sajjan Kumar comes only later,” Verka said.”I don’t know who said what. We are Punjabis and we will continue to stand with Punjabis,” he added.Congress MP Manish Tewari, however, declined to comment directly on Hooda’s statement, saying he had not read it.”I haven’t read the statement, so it won’t be correct to comment on it,” Tewari saidWhat Deepender Hooda saidHooda’s comments came after Kumar’s death on Thursday.Speaking to ANI, Hooda described Kumar’s death as a loss to the political landscape and praised his public connect.”Today, the country’s political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss… He is cited as a role model nationwide,” Hooda had said.The remarks quickly became controversial given Kumar’s conviction in cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.Kumar was a three-time parliamentarian and had faced criminal proceedings over the violence for decades. His legal journey included both acquittals and convictions before higher courts.BJP, SAD attack CongressThe BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal sharply criticised Hooda and questioned whether his remarks represented the Congress’s broader position.BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu accused Kumar and his associates of systematically targeting Sikh families during the 1984 violence and alleged that the Congress leadership had protected him for years.Bittu called on the Punjab and Delhi Congress units to clarify their position on Hooda’s comments.The Shiromani Akali Dal also demanded an apology from Hooda and the Congress.SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia condemned the statement and said Congress should apologise.”How can a person like Jagdish Tytler, HKL Bhagat…and all those who killed our innocent Sikh brothers in broad daylight and are responsible for the murder of around 3,000 people during the 1984 riots, be called role models?” Majithia said.He also questioned whether Hooda would continue to remain in the Congress after making the remarks.SAD leader Daljeet Singh Cheema said Hooda should have considered the impact of his comments on families whose homes were destroyed and relatives killed during the violence.”When you glorify the life of such people in public, it causes a great deal of hurt to the Sikh community,” Cheema said.The president of the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Victim Welfare Society, Surjit Singh, also condemned Hooda’s remarks, saying victims had still not received justice.Victims’ family react to Sajjan Kumar’s deathThe controversy unfolded alongside emotional reactions from families affected by the 1984 violence.Ganga Kaur, a member of a riot-affected family, said members of her family had been killed during the violence.”Members of our family were burned alive in front of us. Sajjan Kumar died naturally, but we would have found greater peace if he had been executed,” she told ANI.Another victim-family member, who identified himself as Surjit Singh, said seven members of his family were burned alive during the riots.”It is very unfortunate that Deepender Hooda is siding a criminal. He should be ashamed of praising a person who is responsible for the massacre of so many people,” he said.Sajjan Kumar died at Safdarjung Hospital on Thursday at the age of 84. Hospital authorities said he had a history of high blood pressure and Parkinson’s disease and had been admitted after being brought to the hospital by police with altered sensorium.Kumar had been serving a life sentence after the Delhi high court in December 2018 overturned his acquittal in the Raj Nagar case, relating to the killing of five members of a Sikh family and the burning of a gurdwara during the 1984 violence.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesHe surrendered and was lodged in Tihar Jail in December 2018.In February 2025, a Delhi court sentenced Kumar to another life term in the Saraswati Vihar case over the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh during the riots. The court spared him the death penalty, citing his age, medical condition and conduct while serving his earlier sentence.In another case relating to violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri, a Rouse Avenue court acquitted Kumar in January 2026 of charges linked to the killing of Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh and the burning of Gurcharan Singh. The Delhi high court subsequently issued notice on an appeal against the acquittal.(With agency inputs)Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu MeetingPolicy Shift Or Just Words? 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How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 1008 foods you should never reheat in the microwave and why5 smart ways to protect yourself from office politics, according to entrepreneur Ankur WarikooThe 5 beauty trends dominating Instagram in 2026Ram Kapoor’s approximately Rs 20 crore Mumbai home: A coffin-shaped bar, private theatre room and stunning art collection7 health benefits of drinking coffee that go beyond boosting energy; new study links the drink to less body fat and more muscle9 vulture species found in India: Places where travellers can see them10 foods Indians are buying more of in 2026 and what they are replacing123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleJEECUP counsellingAston Martin crashAbhijeet DipkeAnkur WarikooSIM card rulesManoj Mukund NaravaneTop TrendingHyderabad Aston Martin AccidentLadakh TouristMumbai Rape AirhostessMadhapur Road AccidentUKG Student DeathSalman Khan Gym FireAbhijeet DipkeRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoBen Gvir

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