BJP questions silence of INDIA bloc leaders on Punjab minister's objectionable video
May 28, 2024
Chandigarh [India], May 28 : BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Tuesday questioned the silence of INDI alliance leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee over a purported objectionable video of Punjab AAP MLA Balkar Singh with a woman seeking a job.
Poonawalla told ANI, "In the incident that has come to light today, a 21-year-old child was assaulted by a Punjab Minister...Why is Manish Tewari (the Congress candidate for Chandigarh), INDI Alliance big leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra ji and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav ji, and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee quiet about this (incident)?"
"They are those people who often speak about such incidents...If they are quiet today, that means the issue of women's safety and harassment are just political tools for them...," he added.
He also called for the resignation of the minister and demanded a probe into the matter.
"This minister must resign, and a probe must take place," he said.
He also referred to the alleged Swati Maliwal assault case.
"Aam Admi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was quiet on the Swati Maliwal case, and he is quiet on this incident as well," he said.
BJP leaders alleged that the minister forced the woman to undress on a video call and also showed his private parts to her.
Tajinder Bagga, the National Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), claimed that Punjab Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh compelled a 21-year-old girl to strip naked over a video call.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Shazia Ilmi slammed Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal for sharing stage with Balkar Singh during a roadshow in Jalandhar.
"Back when the party was formed, Arvind Kejriwal had assured the people that right from the lowest to the topmost level in the party, all people will have a clean character. But what we have seen in the past and this one today is contrary to his claims... What the Punjab Minister has done, we cannot even talk about it in a civilised society. I feel so ashamed and sorry for the woman. What must have she gone through? I think all people across party lines and the general public, those who belong to the civilised society, should question Arvind Kejriwal... This person has not just been absurd with this 21-year-old girl who was looking for a job, he was seen in a roadshow of Arvind Kejriwal in Jalandhar," said Ilmi.
Earlier, the National Commission for Women (NCW) condemned the incident and demanded urgent intervention from the Punjab Police.
Taking to its official X handle, NCW posted, "The National Commission for Women is gravely disturbed by Twitter post allegations against Punjab MLA Balkar Singh. The reported acts, if substantiated, constitute serious violations under IPC sections 354 and 354B, directly affronting a woman's dignity."
It added further, "Rekha Sharma, NCW Chairperson, vehemently condemns such behaviour and calls for urgent intervention from Director General of Police, Punjab to ensure a prompt and impartial investigation. A comprehensive report to be submitted in three days."
Meanwhile, NCW Chief Rekha Sharma issued notice to DG Punjab Gaurav Yadav regarding the matter of Balkar Singh.
In the notice, NCW said, "The National Commission for Women has come across a distressing Twitter post of Tajinder Bagga enclosing a video of Punjab's Cabinet Minister Balkar Singh allegedly masturbating on a video call with a 21-year-old girl compelling her to strip naked on the pretext to provide her with a job."
