Listen To This Post
CHANDIGARH: On Saturday, after the arrest of Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora by the Enforcement Directorate, Arvind Kejriwal launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comparing him to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and accusing the Centre of unleashing “atrocities” on Punjab through repeated ED raids.
Reacting strongly after the ED arrest and subsequent action against Sanjeev Arora, the AAP chief said Punjab would resist what he described as the Centre’s oppressive politics in the same spirit in which Sikh Gurus stood up against Aurangzeb centuries ago.
“Punjab is the land of the Gurus. Several hundred years ago, Aurangzeb seized control of many parts of the country through crime and oppression. Modi ji too has deceitfully seized control of many parts of the country. After that, Aurangzeb arrived in Punjab. Modi ji has now arrived in Punjab as well,” Kejriwal said in a post on X.
“Aurangzeb perpetrated great atrocities on the Gurus. Modi ji is also perpetrating atrocities on Punjabis. But the Gurus confronted Aurangzeb through sacrifice and saved the people. Today, drawing inspiration from the Gurus’ sacrifice, Punjab will confront Modi ji’s atrocities and save the entire country from his oppression,” he added.
Kejriwal links raids to political pressure
Kejriwal alleged that the repeated ED actions in Punjab were politically motivated and intended to intimidate Opposition leaders and influential personalities in the state.
Referring to the Centre’s past confrontation with protesting farmers, the AAP chief said Prime Minister Modi had previously “challenged Punjab’s farmers” and was ultimately forced to retreat.
“A few years ago Modi challenged Punjab’s farmers and had to bow before them. Today, Modi ji has challenged the entire Punjab,” he remarked, linking the latest raids to what he described as a broader attempt to pressure the state politically.
Kejriwal further claimed that the frequency of ED raids in Punjab had increased after the Bengal Assembly elections.
“After the Bengal elections, Modi ji started conducting daily ED raids in Punjab,” he alleged.
‘Punjab has been targeted from all sides
In his statement, Kejriwal accused the Centre of systematically weakening Punjab through administrative, financial and political actions over the past few years.
“In the past few years, Modi has dealt Punjab a heavy blow. Punjabis have been harassed in every possible way. Attacks were launched on Punjab’s water, attempts were made to take over Punjab University, funds for rural development were withheld, and now relentless ED raids have been unleashed,” he said.
The AAP leader also referred to previous ED actions against political and business figures, alleging that the objective behind such raids was not investigation but political coercion.
Mentions Ashok Mittal, Sanjeev Arora raids
Kejriwal cited the example of businessman and politician Ashok Mittal, claiming that his alignment with the BJP followed ED action against him.
“A raid was carried out at Ashok Mittal’s premises, and the next day, he was brought into the BJP. The purpose of the ED raid wasn’t to uncover stolen money. It was solely to break Ashok Mittal and get him to join the BJP,” Kejriwal alleged.
He further referred to the recent ED action against Sanjeev Arora, suggesting that the raids intensified because the Punjab minister did not yield to political pressure.
“Just a few days ago, a raid was also conducted at Sanjeev Arora’s place. When he didn’t join the BJP, another raid was carried out at his premises,” Kejriwal claimed.
The remarks are expected to further escalate the political confrontation between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP, especially after the ED’s high-profile action against one of the most influential ministers in the Bhagwant Mann government.
