12 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : A social media post by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticising the alleged police action against protesters near Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi has triggered a political controversy, particularly within Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) circles. The post, published on X and subsequently deleted, has drawn attention amid speculation about a possible revival of ties between the SAD (Badal) and the BJP ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
According to reports, Harsimrat Badal condemned the alleged entry of Delhi Police personnel into the sacred premises of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and the reported treatment of women protesters detained ahead of a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). She described the alleged conduct as unacceptable and called for accountability.
In her now-deleted post, Harsimrat emphasised the sanctity of the gurdwara and raised concerns over the alleged mistreatment of women who were reportedly taking shelter while participating in or being associated with the protest. Her remarks quickly became a subject of political discussion.
Harsimrat Badal’s post sparks political debate
The controversy centres on Harsimrat’s public criticism of the police action and the political implications of her remarks. Her post reportedly caused unease among BJP leaders, with some questioning the SAD’s position on the incident.
BJP leader and Supreme Court advocate Harvinder Singh Phoolka questioned why the SAD (Badal) had joined what he described as the promotion of a false narrative. His response brought the disagreement into sharper focus, with the issue extending beyond the reported police action to the political messaging surrounding it.
Although Harsimrat subsequently deleted the post, screenshots reportedly circulated on social media after several Opposition leaders saved copies. The deletion did not end the controversy, as the episode continued to attract attention and prompted questions about the reasons behind the move.
No definitive explanation for the deletion was established in the reports. Therefore, the removal of the post alone does not confirm a change in Harsimrat’s position or establish whether the decision was linked to pressure from any political party.
Gurdwara Bangla Sahib incident becomes a political flashpoint
The controversy emerged following reports of police action against demonstrators in the vicinity of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. The protest was associated with the Cockroach Janta Party, a political movement that had called for a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Harsimrat’s criticism focused on two sensitive aspects of the reported incident: the sanctity of a prominent Sikh religious site and the alleged treatment of women protesters. These issues carry particular significance in Punjab, where religious institutions and Sikh identity frequently feature prominently in public and political debate.
The reported police action and the competing political reactions have also raised broader questions about the handling of demonstrations near religious places. While political leaders have expressed differing views about the incident, allegations regarding police conduct need to be assessed on the basis of verified facts and official accounts.
BJP MP Vikramjit Singh also questioned the use of a gurdwara for protests, slogans and non-religious speeches, arguing that the incident should be condemned. His remarks reflected a different emphasis from Harsimrat’s criticism, placing the use of a religious site at the centre of the discussion.
The differing responses illustrate how a single incident can lead to competing political narratives, particularly when questions of religious respect, the right to protest and police conduct overlap.
SAD-BJP alliance speculation adds another dimension
The timing of the controversy has made it politically significant. Speculation has been growing that the SAD (Badal) and BJP could formalise an alliance by the end of October, although a renewed partnership should not be treated as confirmed without an official announcement.
The two parties governed Punjab together and contested elections as allies for decades before their relationship broke down in 2020 over the farm laws. The SAD withdrew from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance during the farmers’ agitation, marking a major turning point in Punjab’s political landscape.
Since then, questions about whether the parties could rebuild their relationship have periodically surfaced, particularly with the 2027 Assembly elections approaching. Any renewed understanding would have implications for electoral calculations, campaign strategies and the distribution of political support in the state.
The latest controversy has added to this atmosphere of uncertainty. Harsimrat’s criticism of the police action, followed by the deletion of her post, has prompted political observers to examine whether the episode could affect the broader political equation.
However, there is no established evidence that the deleted post was directly connected to alliance negotiations. The incident and the reported discussions about a possible partnership remain separate developments unless the parties themselves confirm a link.
Political implications ahead of Punjab elections
For the SAD, the episode highlights the challenge of balancing its political positioning with issues involving Sikh institutions and public sentiment in Punjab. For the BJP, the controversy presents a potentially sensitive issue at a time when political alignments in the state are under scrutiny.
The episode also demonstrates the continuing influence of social media in political communication. Statements posted online can quickly become part of a wider political debate, while deleting a post may not prevent its contents from continuing to circulate through screenshots and reposts.
With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approaching, developments involving the SAD and BJP are likely to remain under close observation. Nevertheless, any conclusions about the future of their relationship will depend on formal statements, negotiations and concrete political decisions rather than speculation surrounding an individual post.
For now, Harsimrat Badal’s deleted X post has become another point of discussion in Punjab’s evolving political landscape. The central questions concern the reported police action, the competing interpretations of the incident and whether the controversy will have any lasting impact on relations between the SAD and BJP.