A grenade blast outside senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence in Jalandhar has sent shockwaves across Punjab, with political leaders across parties slamming the AAP-led state government for a breakdown in law and order and an alarming spike in violence.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu met Kalia on Tuesday and strongly criticized the deteriorating security situation in the state.
“There’s an atmosphere of fear in Punjab. This isn’t just an isolated attack—it’s a targeted attempt to disrupt peace and communal harmony. The state has seen militancy before, but even then, grenades weren’t so casually used,” Bittu said.
This is the first grenade attack on a political leader’s house in the recent spate of such incidents. Punjab has witnessed over a dozen grenade attacks since November 2023, targeting police stations, places of worship, and even a YouTuber’s residence, all indicating a worrying pattern of rising militancy and gang violence.
🔥 Political Reactions and Sharp Criticism:
- Ravneet Bittu (Union MoS Railways):
- “The AAP government has lost control.”
- “CM Bhagwant Mann is busy wooing Delhi leaders while Punjab burns.”
- “Drugs are rampant; even cops are being caught with them.”
- Sunil Jakhar (Punjab BJP President):
- “If Mann had intel on Delhi Congress meetings, where was this intelligence when a grenade was thrown at Kalia’s house?”
- Aman Arora (AAP Punjab President & Minister):
- “We’re committed to arresting the culprits.”
- “These cowardly acts are desperate reactions to the state’s crackdown on gangs and drug networks.”
- Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (Punjab Congress President):
- “Such blasts are becoming more frequent—AAP is turning a deaf ear.”
- “Wake up before Punjab plunges into another dark era.”
- Sukhbir Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal):
- “Lawlessness has crossed all limits.”
- “The CM must take moral responsibility and resign.”
🔎 Background:
- Manoranjan Kalia: Senior BJP leader and former Punjab minister, seen as a key Hindu face in state politics.
- String of Grenade Attacks: Began in late 2023; includes attacks on police, religious sites, and civilians.
- Allegations: Rise in drug abuse, gang wars, political vendettas, and administrative apathy under AAP’s governance.
The grenade attack has united opposition voices, who warn that Punjab may be on the brink of a security crisis if urgent action is not taken. As calls for accountability grow louder, all eyes are now on CM Bhagwant Mann’s response in the coming days.
