‘Will target Capt over ’84 riots’

Kicking off with an “anti-Amarinder” campaign on the issue of riots, the party leadership led by H S Phoolka, will sit on a symbolic hunger strike outside Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali on Thursday.

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AAP leader H.S.Phoolka .Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh

The AAP plans to attack the Congress and the alleged role of its members in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Kicking off with an “anti-Amarinder” campaign on the issue of riots, the party leadership led by H S Phoolka, will sit on a symbolic hunger strike outside Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali on Thursday.

According to party sources, AAP plans to “go to town against Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh and remind people of the alleged roles of its leaders” and the subsequent “clean chit” from the party.

“From the gurdwara, the campaign will reach all parts of Punjab. The party plans to show video clips of Amarinder giving a virtual chit to an accused in 1984 riots and party colleague Jagdish Tytler, in conversation with media,” said a party politician. “Everybody knows that we ordered a SIT into the riots while Amarinder has been asking people to move on and forget issue.”

Phoolka, while addressing media on Wednesday, said, “We are not raking it up but it is an issue. The victims should be given justice,” he said.
Reacting to AAP strategy, Amarinder accused AAP and SAD of exploiting Sikh sentiments with an eye on Assembly elections in the state.
“The people of Punjab are faced with other, more vital concerns, which the Akalis have failed to address all these years and which AAP seems to be clueless about,” he said.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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