Accusing the grand old party of siding with the Khalistanis, Union minister and Giriraj Singh said, “On Channi’s statement, I would only say that Indira Gandhi’s assassin was a Khalistani and Congress is supporting Khalistani.”
“Waah re Congress, Jai Channi.This is an attack on India’s sovereignty. Action should be taken on this…Congress ka haath, Khalistanion ke saath,” he added.
BJP MP and Union minister Prahlad Joshi also condemned Channi’s remarks and said, “This issue is in court. Serious allegations are against him (Amritpal Singh). It’s not right to talk about it in the Parliament. It’s before the people, what Congress has done.”
“He (Charanjit Singh Channi) was not there during the Emergency, so he didn’t know what was the condition then. Today, they keep commenting over the PM, was it possible to make such comments over Indira Gandhi, during the Emergency?” he added.
Following row over Channi’s statement, Congress backed the former CM. Punjab Congress chief and MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring clarified party’s stance and said, “I have not heard the complete statement but I would like to say that due facilities as per the Constitution should be provided to every elected individual (MP) – be it me, or Amritpal or anyone else.”
“Nobody has the right to violate laws – be it anybody. So, I have been saying from the first day that there should be no injustice to anyone as per the Constitution – be it anyone,” he added.
The former Punjab CM, referring to Amritpal’s win in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, said, “Every day they talk about emergencies, but what about the current situation in the country? A famous young man, a well-known singer, was shot dead, and till now, Sidhu Moosewala’s family has not received justice and is wandering from place to place.”
“This is also an emergency. It is also an emergency that a Member of Parliament elected by 2 million people in Punjab is being detained under the National Security Act and cannot speak for his constituents. This is also an emergency,” he added.
Amritpal, a Khalistani sympathizer and head of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit, is held for offenses under the National Security Act and has garnered attention for his radical activities, including an incident in February where he clashed with police in an attempt to free an aide.