Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepore

Thousands of people including RSS and BJP workers, local businessmen and representatives of various social organizations today attended the “Bhog” ceremony of Naveen Arora, who had been killed by two unidentified assailants on Saturday night. 

While addressing the media persons after attending the bhog ceremony, State BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar said that the murder of Naveen Arora is a blot on the soul of Punjab and “Punjabiyat”. He said that Naveen’s murder was a planned act executed with the intention of deteriorating the peace and prosperity of the people of Punjab. 

“On November 6, AAP Superemo Arvind Kejriwal had given an ultimatum to the gangsters during a rally in Tarn Taran to leave Punjab but the fact is that there are only two things easily available in Punjab these days, first is drugs and second is weapons. “I appeal Kejriwal to stop interfering in state’s affair and leave Punjab and let us (The Punjabis) handle the situation”, said Jakhar adding that those running the state have no emotions and real connection with the sate or “Punjabiyat”. 

Jakhar said that Naveen’s murder was not a gangster-related murder, it was the targeted killing of a simple, decent, and ordinary citizen, carried out with clear planning and motive. “I have not come here as the State BJP Chief or as a politician, I have come because I am deeply concerned about Punjab. It is not just the murder of Naveen, it is a planned attack aimed at the communal harmony and brotherhood of Punjab”, said Jakhar. 

Other prominent RSS and BJP leaders who were present there included Iqbal Singh State “Sangh Chalak”, Narinder Kumar Punjab Sewa Pramukh, Rameshwar Akhil Bhartiya Pracharak, Leeladhar Parcharak Pramukh, Jasbir Singh Pracharak, Sandip Jakhar MLA Abohar, Anumit Singh Heera Sodhi, and others.

VINEET JOSHI Media Incharge of Punjab Bjp said,  Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar said today in that targeted killings are taking place in the state with the clear intent to destroy Punjab’s communal harmony, while the Aam Aadmi Party government has completely failed to discharge its responsibility. 

He had reached Firozpur to offer condolences to the family of Naveen Arora, son of RSS leader Baldev Raj Arora, who was shot dead. 

Speaking to the media, Sunil Jakhar said that on one hand gangsters are continuously targeting people, and now, with the aim of shattering the state’s communal fabric, the son of an RSS leader has been gunned down in broad daylight. He described it as an attack on 'Punjabiat' and said no Punjabi will tolerate this. 

He pointed out that the murders of RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja earlier, then Vikas Bagga, and now Naveen Arora have all been carried out in a similar pattern, which indicates a larger conspiracy aimed at spoiling Punjab’s communal harmony. 

Jakhar said that at a time when we are celebrating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who sacrificed his life for religious neutrality and the protection of all faiths, such targeted killings are a blot on the forehead of Punjab and Punjabi culture. Yet the government has failed in its duty, and till now no official reaction has come from the government on this particular issue. 

He said this appears to be a dirty mindset to create divisions in society and such elements must be stopped with an iron hand. The silence of the government on this serious matter is causing even greater concern. The culprits must be identified and those sowing the poison of hatred in the state must receive the strictest punishment. 

He appealed to all Punjabis to maintain mutual brotherhood and not let these anti-society and anti-Punjab forces succeed. 

Sunil Jakhar reminded the media of the statement given by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on 6 November in Tarn Taran, in which Kejriwal had promised to wipe out gangsters from Punjab within seven days. He said much more than seven days have passed, but that promise has proved to be nothing more than an election gimmick, while the people of Punjab are being forced to live in an atmosphere of fear and terror. 

The BJP state president said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has knelt before his Delhi leadership, due to which he has no control over the administration, and the senior leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party is directly responsible for whatever deterioration is taking place in Punjab. 

He added that it would be better if the senior leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party leaves Punjab, because Punjabis know how to take care of their Punjab.