Captain Amarinder Singh seeks expulsion, legal action against Sandeep Dayma for his hate remarks about mosques and gurdwaras

On Thursday, while tendering an apology for his remarks, Dayma said in a video, “In place of masjid-madrasa, I mistakenly ended up using some wrong words about the Gurdwara Saheb. I seek apology with folded hands from the entire Sikh community, which has always protected Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma. I don’t know how I committed the mistake. I will repent for this mistake by going to a gurdwara, I apologise to the entire Sikh community with folded hands. Sat Sri Akal!”

In his apology, BJP leader Sandeep Dayma who gave statement of uprooting Gurdwaras & Masjid during his party rally in Tijara, Rajasthan says, “I wanted to say Masjid-Madrasa, but somehow said Gurdwara.” He should be ashamed of this statement too, as speaking against religious… pic.twitter.com/7NeVXABtgz

— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) November 2, 2023

Amarinder Singh said Dayma should not only be expelled from the party but legal action should also be taken against him for his remarks.

In a written statement, Amarinder, who is a BJP national executive member, said, “People like Dayma, who speak mindlessly and make vicious statements should have no place in a party like the BJP”.

He said Dayma’s apology served no purpose as it had already caused immense hurt to well-meaning people, asserting that nobody should be allowed to get away with a mere apology after provocative hate speeches.

On Sunday, a delegation of Punjab BJP led by the party’s state Mahila Morcha president Jai Inder Kaur, the daughter of Captain Amarinder Singh, submitted a complaint at the Sector 39 police station in Chandigarh seeking strict action against Dayma.

The complaint, while referring to Dayma’s speech, said, “Sir due to this hatred speech along with connected statements given by few undemocratic members of the society, have created an atmosphere of insecurity and the same has affected the religious sentiments of not just the applicants but also various citizens of the society and people residing in the area jurisdiction of this police station. Sir in this peculiar situation it is just necessary, that the applicant request your good self to take strict action against Sandeep Dayma along with all those people who are giving statement in relation to above mentioned hatred speech given by Sandeep Dayma.”

The complaint pointed out that “the office premises of the BJP Punjab comes under the area jurisdiction of your police station therefore we are moving present application before your good office”. It added, “Sir it is just necessary to take immediate strict action so as to avoid more stress among residents of the society whose constitutional right given under Article 25 is violated by the accused person”.

Punjab BJP OBC Morcha president Amarpal Singh Bonny Ajnala, party State secretary Kanwarveer Singh Tohra, party State spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal, and co-convenor of Punjab BJP legal cell Harneet Singh Oberoi accompanied Jai Inder as she submitted the complaint.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, in a post on X, on Sunday said, “Outburst of Rajasthan leader against religious sentiments of fellow citizens cannot be condoned. I have apprised Central leadership of hurt caused to people by his reprehensible statement. State BJP Unit has recommended exploring of all options to ensure no repetition of such misconduct takes place as no apology would assuage hurt and anger caused by this insensitive remark.”

Outburst of Rajasthan leader against religious sentiments of fellow citizens cannot be condoned. I have apprised Central leadership of hurt caused to people by his reprehensible statement. State BJP Unit has recommended exploring of all options to ensure no repetition of such…

— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) November 5, 2023

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SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, in a post on X on Thursday, the day Dayma tendered the apology, said, “The Khalsa Panth and its sword arm, the Shiromani Akali Dal, outrightly reject the qualified and weak apology offered by BJP leader from Rajasthan Sandeep Dayma for his outrageous, anti minority and anti national call for uprooting and demolishing Sikh Gurdhams as well as Masjids”.

“He seems to suffer from an arrogant and perverted mindset and he doesn’t understand that there is no difference among shrines of different religions, be it a temple, a Gurdwara, a masjid or any other place of worship. @Akali_Dal_ stands for peace & communal harmony and demands that people like Sandeep Dayma who disturb peace and communal harmony should face case for destroying communal harmony. They should have no place in the country’s public life,” added Sukhbir.

With the BJP making a sustained outreach to the Sikh community, led from the very top, the party acted quickly to contain the damage. With the Election Commission sending a notice to Dayma, Balak Nath spoke to reporters, saying the Sikh community “has always protected Sanatan Dharm and sanskriti” and hoped that “it will forgive if some mistake has been made by some kids”.

The Sikh community in Tijara protested against Dayma by burning effigies of Dayma and shouting slogans against Balak Nath and Adityanath. Even as the Election Commission of India sent a notice to Dayma for violating the model code of conduct, Balak Nath said the Sikh community “has always protected Sanatan Dharm and sanskriti” and hoped that “it will forgive if some mistake has been made by some kids”.