In a significant development, 1,500 members from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, along with Singh Sabha and other Sikh organisations, joined BJP on Saturday, just weeks ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Delhi and Punjab.
At a grand ceremony held at the party's central office in New Delhi, BJP's National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Delhi Pradesh President Virendra Sachdeva conferred party membership to seven members of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee.
Addressing the event after the joining of Sikh members, BJP National President J. P. Nadda said that it is a matter of "pride and happiness" for BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a special bond with the Sikh community, and BJP, along with the Sikh community, will work for the development of Delhi and Punjab.
If someone has worked genuinely for the Sikh community, it is PM Modi, said the BJP National President, adding: "PM Modi has been in charge of Punjab for a long time, and hence he shares a special bond with them."
Nadda claimed that "PM Modi has done many things for the Sikh community which no other Prime Minister could do in 70 years," citing projects such as the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and the provision of GST relief on langar meals by the government.
Reflecting on the riots of 1984, Nadda recalled PM Modi's decisive action in forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to address the atrocities of the riots, resulting in the imprisonment of the perpetrators.
He expressed his gratitude for the large-scale support from the Sikh community and said: "The party cares for everyone. Recognising the contributions of the Sikh community, respecting them and including them in the mainstream is only possible in BJP."
Nadda praised the Sikh community's resilience and sacrifices in defending the country against various threats. He emphasised the significance of their integration into the BJP's fold, citing it as a crucial step toward advancing the nation's unity, integrity, and security.
It is worth mentioning that this induction marked a historic moment for the BJP, as for the first time, people in such large numbers joined the party.
Jasmain Singh Noni, Harjeet Singh Pappa, Ramandeep Singh Thapar, Bhupinder Singh Ginni, Ramandeep Singh Mehta, Parvinder Singh Lucky, and Manjeet Singh Aulakh, along with 1,500 other significant personalities associated with the Singh Sabha and other Sikh organisations joined the BJP's fold.
During the event, BJP's National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa invoked former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's statement, alleging that "Congress has committed genocide" against Sikhs and asserting that the "Sikh community will never forgive Congress for its actions."
He lauded the efforts of PM Modi in championing Sikh interests, emphasising that the Sikh community is "Modi ka Pariwar."
Ruckus over Waqf Amendment Act in J&K Assembly, adjourned briefly
The proceedings of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly were marred on Monday as NC, Congress, PDP, and some Independent MLAs protested against the Waqf Amendment Act passed by Parliament, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.
Pakistani Army violates ceasefire on LoC in J&K’s Poonch
The Pakistani Army violated the ceasefire on Monday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, and the Indian Army retaliated befittingly, officials said.
They're dying to make deal: Trump stands firm on 'reciprocal tariffs'
As global stock markets plunged on Monday, US President Donald Trump defended his controversial tariff policies, dismissing concerns over the economic impact. He said that the world leaders are "dying to make a deal" to negotiate the reciprocal tariffs.
World Health Day: PM Modi urges nation to fight obesity, calls fitness key to Viksit Bharat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of World Health Day on Monday, urged Indians to adopt a healthier lifestyle and work towards a life free from obesity.
ED raids premises linked to TN Minister KN Nehru’s brother
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday carried out raids at the premises of a construction company owned by Ravichandran, the brother of Tamil Nadu municipal administration Minister K.N. Nehru.
India's northeastern region is a jewel, says German Ambassador Ackermann
German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann has said that India's northeast region is a jewel. The German envoy, who recently visited various tourism and important places of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, in a video post in the social media, said that travelling to the northeastern region of India was very rewarding for him.
State budget emphasis on major infrastructural boost in Tripura to attract investors: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday claimed that the developing infrastructure in the state of Tripura is gradually attracting more investors in the state, which perhaps will boost the state’s economy.
M.A. Baby new CPI-M general secretary; Prakash and Brinda Karat step down from Politburo
The 24th Party Congress Communist Party of India (Marxist) concluded in Madurai on Sunday, marking a significant leadership transition. Senior party leader and Politburo member M.A. Baby has been appointed as the new General Secretary of the CPI-M,