Subsequently, AAP leaders, including Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Cabinet Ministers Mohinder Bhagat, Ravjot Singh, MLA Amansher Singh and other leaders and party members were detained by the Chandigarh police.
A heavy police presence was deployed outside the Punjab MLA’s hotel in Sector 4 to prevent protesting AAP leaders and workers from reaching Bajwa’s residence. AAP had called for a protest outside his house in Sector 8.
The AAP also arranged for a traditional wedding band to play their instruments during the protest against Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh’s remarks at a rally.
While accusing Singh of indulging in corruption, Bajwa said the Congress party would “blame him” after forming the government.
“Jehra pehle band vajaanda reha, ehda band asin vajaavange (we will take him (Harbhajan Singh) to challenge the former bandh player),” Bajwa said.
The Public Works Minister said on Monday it was unfortunate for a senior party leader to make such remarks. He said he was proud to be a “son of Bandwal”.
AAP accused the Congress party of having an “anti-Dalit” mentality and asked Bajwa to apologize within 24 hours, failing which strict legal action would be taken.
Finance Minister Cheema said Singh was a man who rose out of poverty, worked hard to clear the civil services examination and became an excise officer.
However, Congress leaders on Sunday dismissed the allegation and accused the AAP of trying to “distort facts” and “misusing Dalit sensitivities” for political gain by raising false charges against Bajwa.
Congress leader Aruna Chaudhary has said that AAP is trying to create controversy out of an irrelevant issue.
