Atishi's Assembly Video Genuine, Says Punjab BJP Leader Sharma

(MENAFN- IANS) Chandigarh, Jan 17 (IANS) Punjab BJP working President Ashwani Sharma on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, saying the forensic examination report of the video in which its MLA Atishi allegedly used derogatory language against Guru Sahib during the Delhi Assembly session has clearly established that the video is genuine and has not been tampered with.

Sharma said that when the Punjab government does not even possess the original video, it has no moral or factual basis to claim that the video is fake.

He questioned how the government can "mislead" the public on such a sensitive religious issue without any credible evidence.

Levelling serious allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, BJP legislator Sharma said that by "protecting" Atishi, who used "insulting" words for Guru Sahib, the Chief Minister and his Cabinet ministers are themselves becoming partners in this "act of disrespect" towards the Gurus.

He said in a statement that the Delhi Assembly, which had the original video of the incident, conducted a forensic examination unanimously on the demand of the Opposition, and the report conclusively proved that the video had not been doctored.

Despite the truth coming out, Sharma alleged that Chief Minister Mann and his Cabinet colleagues are continuing to defend Atishi, thereby deeply hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.

"By shielding her, AAP leaders are themselves participating in the sin of insulting Guru Sahib," he added.

BJP leader Sharma further said that AAP is following a "double standard" on religious issues, which the people of Punjab will never accept.

He demanded that Atishi should publicly apologise for her statement and that the Punjab government should clarify its stand on this matter without any ambiguity.

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