Political Backlash Mounts as BJP MPs Face Heat Over Condolence Visit to Late Convict Sajjan Kumar

New Delhi: The death of 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar has ignited a fresh political firestorm, drawing scrutiny toward the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just days after Congress leaders faced internal criticism for similar actions.

Sajjan Kumar, 80, passed away earlier this month while serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. A former Congress MP, Kumar’s long-standing legal battle and eventual conviction left a deep scar on the political landscape, particularly in Punjab.

While the controversy initially centered on Congress leader Deepender Hooda, who was castigated by his own party colleagues for offering condolences, the spotlight has now shifted to the BJP. Three of its own lawmakers—Ramvir Bidhuri, Yogender Chandoliya, and Kamaljeet Sehrawat—are under intense fire after it was revealed they visited Kumar’s residence to pay their respects.

The optics of the visit have prompted swift disciplinary action from the party leadership. BJP chief Nitin Nabin has reportedly summoned the three MPs, stating firmly, “They shouldn’t have gone.”

A Polarizing Legacy

Sajjan Kumar’s political career was defined by his rise to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and his controversial longevity, having been elected on Congress tickets even in 1991 and 2004. However, his life was eventually overshadowed by the 1984 riots. Following years of legal proceedings, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 for his role in inciting violence. In 2025, a Delhi court handed him a conviction in a second case related to the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son, Tarundeep Singh.

Given these historical crimes, the visit by the three BJP MPs has provided an opening for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to launch a scathing attack. AAP leader Baltej Pannu claimed the visit exposed the “real face of the BJP,” while Delhi AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj remarked on X that the MPs’ hearts “still beat for the convicted killer.”

Internal Dissent and Public Outrage

The backlash has extended beyond political rivals to include those who have historically championed the cause of the riot victims. H.S. Phoolka, a prominent lawyer and activist who spearheaded the legal fight for justice for the victims of the 1984 riots, expressed strong condemnation.

“Sympathy should be reserved for victims and their families—many of whom live the horror of those days even till now,” Phoolka said, calling for a boycott of the three MPs.

As the political fallout intensifies, the controversy has once again highlighted how deeply the 1984 riots remain an emotive and sensitive issue in Indian politics. The BJP’s swift internal reprimand reflects the party’s attempt to distance itself from the optics of mourning a figure whose actions were so fiercely condemned by the judiciary and the public alike.