Punjab BJP chief flags rising crime, targets AAP govt on law and order
Synopsis
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon has escalated the political battle over law and order, pointing to a firing outside a former Akal Takht Jathedar's residence as evidence that even prominent religious figures are unsafe under the AAP government. The charge puts Bhagwant Mann's administration on the defensive at a symbolically charged moment — the eve of Independence Day.
Key Takeaways
BJP Punjab president Kewal Singh Dhillon on 14 August alleged that law and order in Punjab had deteriorated sharply under the AAP government.
Dhillon cited daily incidents of shootings, murders, robberies, and extortion calls as evidence of a worsening security climate.
A firing incident outside the residence of former Akal Takht Jathedar Raghbir Singh was flagged as a serious failure of the state's security setup.
The BJP leader accused the Bhagwant Mann -led government of neglecting internal security while focusing on its political leadership in Delhi .
Dhillon asserted that only a BJP government could deliver effective law-and-order governance in the state.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Friday, 14 August alleged that law and order in Punjab had deteriorated sharply, leaving residents, traders, and businessmen feeling increasingly unsafe. Dhillon, speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, said incidents of shootings, daylight murders, robberies, and extortion calls were being reported almost daily across the state.
Key Allegations
Dhillon claimed that the audacity of gangsters and criminal elements had reached a point where, in his words, 'fear of the law seems completely absent.' He asserted that not a single day passed without a major crime occurring somewhere in Punjab, and that the worsening security climate was not only unsettling common citizens but also damaging the state's economy and investment prospects.
Firing Outside Former Akal Takht Jathedar's Residence
The BJP leader specifically highlighted a recent firing incident outside the residence of former Akal Takht Jathedar Raghbir Singh, calling it a serious indictment of the state government's security apparatus. 'When prominent religious personalities are not safe at their homes, how can common Punjabis feel secure?' Dhillon asked. The incident, he argued, exposed critical gaps in the administration's ability to protect even high-profile individuals.
Attack on AAP Government
Dhillon squarely blamed the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for the deteriorating situation, alleging that the administration remained preoccupied with serving its political leadership in Delhi rather than addressing Punjab's internal security needs. 'Punjab does not need hollow advertisements and verbal assurances; it requires strict, decisive, and effective governance on law and order,' he said. Dhillon claimed that only a BJP government could deliver the tough measures needed to curb crime in the state.
Broader Context
Punjab has faced persistent concerns over organised crime and gang activity in recent years, with several high-profile incidents drawing national attention. This comes amid an ongoing political battle between the ruling AAP and the BJP, with both parties seeking to define the narrative ahead of future electoral cycles. Critics, however, note that law and order is a state subject, and the BJP's charges carry an inherently political dimension given its opposition status in the state.
The AAP government is yet to formally respond to Dhillon's latest allegations. Whether the ruling party addresses the specific incidents cited — particularly the firing near the former Jathedar's home — will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
But the specific reference to a firing outside a former Akal Takht Jathedar's residence gives it traction beyond the usual noise — religious symbolism carries weight in Punjab in a way it does not elsewhere. The AAP government's silence on that particular incident is conspicuous. More broadly, Punjab's gang-crime problem predates the current administration, a context the BJP conveniently sidesteps. The real accountability question is not which party is in power, but whether the state's police reforms — promised by multiple governments — have produced any measurable change in gang suppression. That data is largely absent from the political conversation.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon allege about law and order?
Dhillon alleged that law and order in Punjab had deteriorated rapidly under the AAP government, with shootings, daylight murders, robberies, and extortion calls being reported almost daily. He made these remarks at a press conference in Chandigarh on 14 August.
What was the firing incident near the Akal Takht Jathedar's residence?
Dhillon highlighted a recent firing incident outside the home of former Akal Takht Jathedar Raghbir Singh, calling it a serious question mark on the state government's security setup. He argued that if prominent religious figures were unsafe at home, ordinary citizens had little reason to feel secure.
Who did the BJP blame for Punjab's crime situation?
The BJP blamed the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government, alleging it was focused on its political leadership in Delhi rather than addressing Punjab's internal security. Dhillon said the state needed decisive governance, not 'hollow advertisements and verbal assurances.'
How does this fit into the broader political context in Punjab?
Punjab has faced persistent concerns over organised crime and gang activity for several years. The BJP, as the principal opposition party in the state, has repeatedly targeted the AAP government on law and order — an issue that resonates strongly with traders, businessmen, and rural communities across the state.
Has the AAP government responded to these allegations?
As of the time of reporting, the AAP government had not issued a formal response to Dhillon's latest allegations. A response addressing the specific incidents cited, particularly the firing near the former Jathedar's residence, is expected to be closely watched.
