Sidhu has two advisors— one is a Pakistan apologist while the other is a separatist

Ever since the Gandhi clan handed the reins of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) in the hands of Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress is nearing its inevitable disintegration in Punjab. The former cricketer turned politician and the new state President, Navjot Singh Sidhu, has installed a notorious advisory panel and appointed Pyare Lal Garg and Malvinder Singh Mali as his trusted lieutenants. However, Sidhu’s picks, just like him are drenched in controversies and have instantly made anti-national remarks, inviting widespread flak. While one advisor bats for Pakistan, the other has separatist tendencies and supports the cause of an independent Kashmir.

Reportedly, Pyare Lal Garg recently questioned Captain Amarinder Singh’s criticism of the terrorist state of Pakistan. Garg showing his full sympathy for Pakistan said any criticism of Pakistan by Captain was not in the interest of Punjab.

As for Malvinder Singh Mali, the Congress leader in a shocking development described Kashmir as a separate ‘country’ in his Facebook post. Mali wrote a feature-length post on his Facebook wall and regurgitated his venom and hatred for India and its inalienable territory.

“Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris. Going against the tenets of the UNO resolutions, India and Pakistan have illegally usurped Kashmir. If Kashmir was a part of India, then what was the need to have Articles 370 and 35-A. What was the special agreement with King Hari Singh? Tell people what were the terms of the agreement,”

Earlier on August 14, Mali had accused CM Amarinder Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating communal tensions in the state.

“Punjabio hoshiyar te khabardar! Captain, Amit Shah ,Modi Di tikdi walon Punjab andar mud bebiswasi,firkutan ,Dar te dahsat paida Karan de Sanket. Punjabiyan de Kisan de lai khatre ki ghanti. (Punjabis beware! Signals from the trio of Captain, Amit Shah and PM Modi to create communal tensions, fear and terror are alarm bells for Punjabis and farmers. Capt (Amarinder) has handed over his agenda to the central government).”

In fact, Mali has made a controversial picture as his Facebook cover photo where former PM Indira Gandhi can be seen holding a gun, with a skull hanging on its muzzle, surrounded by a heap of human skulls. The sketch is the cover page of the June 1989 issue of a Punjabi magazine titled ‘Jantak Paigam (Public Message)’, edited by Malvinder Singh Mali. The tagline of the title says, ‘Every repression is defeated’.

Singh hasn’t taken down the post and it has left the Punjab Congress red-faced. Meanwhile, BJP remarked the sketch indicated how the Sikhs were targeted during the 1984 riots.

Sensing huge backlash on the social media platforms for the comments made by both leaders, several Congress leaders including Punjab Chief Minister and Manish Tewari slammed the duo and stated that their comments were “totally misplaced and antagonistic” to the stated position of India and the Congress on Pakistan and Kashmir.

Captain Amarinder Singh remarked, “Garg may have forgotten the thousands of Punjabi lives lost in the fire of Pak-backed terrorism of the 1980s and 1990s, but I have not. Nor have the people of Punjab. And we will continue to do everything in our power to fight off Pakistan’s dangerous games,” asserted Captain Amarinder, urging Garg not to undermine the sacrifices of Punjabis with his outrageous, irresponsible, and politically motivated statements,”

Even after severe criticism, Mali did not withdraw the statement and stood by what he said. Meanwhile, Sidhu is yet to comment on the issue, but his silence explains that both advisors have his tacit backing. Despite the ideological differences, Captain Singh, a former Army man has stood up for the cause of India but with Sidhu at the helm of affairs in Punjab Congress, anti-national elements are expected to become much more boisterous.