‘Insensitive Remark’: BJP, AAP Spar Over ‘Insult’ To Guru Tegh Bahadur In Delhi Assembly

Last Updated:January 07, 2026, 09:08 IST

Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that even unintentional disrespect during such a sacred discussion amounts to a serious offence and requires an apology.

BJP Demands Apology From Atishi Over Alleged Comments on Guru Tegh Bahadur

The BJP on Tuesday accused AAP leader and Leader of the Opposition Atishi of using insensitive words against Guru Tegh Bahadur during a discussion in the Delhi Assembly. BJP legislators demanded a public apology, saying the remarks hurt Sikh sentiments.

The issue came up during a debate on a Delhi government programme held last November to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru. During the discussion, opposition AAP MLAs raised the issue of air pollution, leading to an uproar in the House.

What happened in the House?

According to BJP leaders, the alleged remarks were made while the House was discussing Guru Tegh Bahadur’s sacrifice. However, the exact words spoken by Atishi were not clearly audible in the available audio. Despite this, BJP leaders said any improper words used alongside the Guru’s name were unacceptable.

Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that even unintentional disrespect during such a sacred discussion amounts to a serious offence and requires an apology. He added that the government had already scheduled a full-day discussion on pollution for the following day.

BJP seeks censure motion

Minister Ashish Sood described the incident as a “low-level act" and accused the opposition of disrupting the discussion to avoid acknowledging the government’s programme in honour of the Sikh guru. Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said the matter was sensitive and assured that the video would be examined. He said a censure motion could be brought in the House the next day.

BJP MLA Harish Khurana also condemned the alleged remarks and said the party would move a censure motion, stressing that the pollution debate was already planned.

AAP hits back

In a statement issued later, the AAP accused the BJP of turning the Assembly session into a distraction to avoid a serious discussion on pollution. The party said the BJP feared that a full debate on pollution would expose its failures before the public.

Several BJP leaders, including ministers Kapil Mishra and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, strongly criticised Atishi’s conduct and repeated the demand for an apology both inside and outside the House. They said such behaviour during a discussion on a sacred subject had never been seen before.

The political sparring is expected to continue when the Assembly takes up the matter again.

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