Punjab AAP questions Pargat Singh over silence on drugs, sacrilege during Akali tenure

October 3, 2026

Chandigarh: The Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday questioned newly appointed state Congress president Pargat Singh over his alleged silence on the issues of drugs and ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) when he was associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal and served as the state’s Education and Sports Minister.

State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asked Pargat Singh to explain why he did not raise his voice against the drug menace and incidents of sacrilege during his association with the Akali Dal.

Cheema questions Pargat Singh’s record

“Drugs and ‘beadbi’ were among the biggest political issues in Punjab during the Akali Dal (Badal)-BJP rule, yet Pargat Singh did not publicly raise his voice against either issue while he was part of the Akali Dal. The people of Punjab deserve to know why the new State Congress President remained silent on matters that deeply affected the state,” Cheema said.

Cheema also referred to Pargat Singh’s earlier statement that there were two factions within the Congress over the issue of sacrilege — one that wanted action against those responsible and another that, according to him, was protecting the Badals.

“Today, as Congress President Pargat Singh must tell Punjab which faction he is leading; the one that wanted justice in ‘beadbi’ cases or the one that was protecting the Badals,” Cheema said.

Recruitment row raised over Education Department

Cheema also questioned Pargat Singh’s record as Education Minister, referring to the recruitment of 1,158 Assistant Professors and Librarians.

He alleged that Pargat Singh had been urged to follow the proper legal procedure and route the recruitment through the Punjab Public Service Commission, but the process proceeded despite objections and was subsequently set aside by the Supreme Court.

Cheema said the episode created uncertainty for candidates who had gone through the recruitment process and asked why established procedures were not followed.

AAP contrasts sports spending with previous government

Cheema acknowledged Pargat Singh’s achievements as a hockey player and his contribution to Indian hockey but said his record as Sports Minister should be considered separately.

He claimed that the sports budget under the previous government remained around ₹147 crore, while the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has allocated ₹1,746 crore for sports in the current budget.

The remarks came as the AAP questioned the new Punjab Congress chief’s record and sought explanations over issues relating to his earlier political and ministerial tenure.