A fresh political and religious controversy has erupted in the national capital after a Sikh religious body sought legal action against senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi over alleged derogatory remarks concerning Sikh Gurus made inside the Delhi Assembly.
A delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) met the Delhi Police Commissioner on Tuesday and formally demanded the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Atishi. The delegation was led by SGPC Senior Vice President S Raghujit Singh Virk.
Allegations over Assembly remarks
According to the SGPC, Atishi allegedly made objectionable remarks related to Sikh Gurus during proceedings of the Delhi Assembly on January 6. The Sikh body claimed that the statements, which are part of the official Assembly record, have deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs not only in India but across the world.
In its written complaint to the police, the SGPC asserted that the teachings of Sikh Gurus stand for universal values such as equality, brotherhood, and justice, transcending caste, creed, and discrimination. Any comment that appears to undermine this legacy, the body said, reflects an insensitive attitude toward the Sikh community.
The delegation stressed that such remarks were particularly unfortunate given that the Sikh community is currently commemorating the martyrdom centenary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, one of the most revered figures in Sikh history. The SGPC urged authorities to take strict action to ensure that political leaders refrain from making statements that could inflame religious sentiments.
Political backlash and counter-allegations
The controversy intensified after BJP leaders, including Kapil Mishra, shared video clips on social media alleging that Atishi had insulted Guru Tegh Bahadur while speaking during a debate related to a Delhi government programme held last November. The programme had been organised to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Sikh Guru.
The BJP accused Atishi and the AAP of disrespecting Sikh religious sentiments and demanded immediate action against her. The issue quickly snowballed into a broader political confrontation between the ruling AAP and the BJP in Delhi.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party strongly rejected the allegations. AAP leaders claimed that the video circulated by Kapil Mishra was selectively edited and misrepresented Atishi’s actual remarks. According to the party, Atishi had made no derogatory comments about Sikh Gurus and was instead discussing government initiatives related to commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Protests and police action
As tensions escalated, several AAP leaders and MLAs attempted to stage a protest near the BJP office in Delhi to accuse the party of spreading misinformation. Police detained multiple AAP leaders during the demonstration, citing law and order concerns.
The developments have added to the already charged political atmosphere in Delhi, with religion, history, and political messaging intersecting in a sensitive manner.
What lies ahead
The Delhi Police is yet to announce whether an FIR will be registered against Atishi. The matter is expected to be examined based on Assembly records, video evidence, and the complaints submitted by the SGPC.
The episode once again highlights how religious sentiments and political discourse can collide, particularly in legislative spaces. With Sikh organisations demanding accountability and political parties trading allegations, the controversy is likely to remain in focus in the coming days.
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