The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday accused Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann of attempting to white-wash his grandfather's dubious record of honouring General Reginald Dyer with a “siropa” at Akal Takht after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang said that MP Mann is trying to justify his grandfather Arur Singh's action as a 'pro-British Sikh' during the freedom struggle. He said, that after calling legendary martyr Shaheed Bhagat Singh a "terrorist", Mann has now disrespected the supreme sacrifice of hundreds of people who lost their lives in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
"Instead of apologising for disrespecting freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, MP Mann has now insulted the people in Jallianwala Bagh massacre by defending the shameful act of his grandfather Arur Singh, then sarbarah (in-charge) of the Golden Temple, for honouring General Reginald Dyer, "Kang said.
Kang said, that Mann is justifying the act of his grandfather with dubious claims that Arur Singh did it to prevent General Dyer from attacking Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Arur Singh, faced a revolt from Sikhs of Punjab as he was seen as a pro-British Sikh, after the ceremony at the Golden Temple.
He said that MP Mann should not attempt to white-wash his family's dubious past and should instead apologize for hurting the sentiments of the people. 'Because Punjabis know the truth and cannot be misled.'
Lashing out at opposition, Kang said that Congress and Akali Dal leaders are baffled with the extraordinary working of AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and they are attempting to defame the government with false claims.