BJP Demands Apology After AAP Criticizes PM Modi Over Punjab Anniversary Events

The dispute turns on whether respect was shown through attendance at Punjab-led ceremonies or through separate national tributes.

Overview

AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and minister Aman Arora, accused the prime minister and central ministers of not attending Punjab government events marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Arora said invitations were sent to the prime minister, all Union ministers and chief ministers, and he questioned Modi’s choice to visit Kurukshetra instead of nearby Anandpur Sahib.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar called AAP’s claims baseless and demanded a public apology, asserting that the prime minister paid homage at a major Kurukshetra event.
Jakhar cited the Government of India’s commemorative coin and national observances, including a Red Fort event, and noted the BJP’s own kirtan darbar and prayers at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.
He further alleged AAP skipped an SGPC invitation and used the anniversary for political promotion and costly publicity, charges AAP rejects by framing its programme as non-political.