New Delhi: BJP national president Nitin Nabin has summoned and reprimanded three party MPs from Delhi after they visited the residence of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar to offer condolences following his death. The move has triggered a fresh political controversy over the BJP’s position on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The three MPs — Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Yogender Chandolia — reportedly visited Kumar’s residence and met members of his family after his demise. According to party sources, Nabin expressed his displeasure over the visit and indicated that the MPs should not have gone.
Why Did Nitin Nabin Summon the MPs?
The BJP’s action comes against the backdrop of Sajjan Kumar’s conviction in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Kumar, a former Congress MP, was serving a life sentence when he died at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on August 20, 2026, at the age of 80.
Party sources said the three MPs’ visit was viewed as inconsistent with the BJP’s longstanding position on accountability for the 1984 violence. Nabin therefore sought an explanation from the lawmakers and reprimanded them over their decision.
The BJP has also maintained that the MPs visited Kumar’s family in their personal capacity and not as representatives of the party.
Who Are the Three BJP MPs?
The three Delhi Lok Sabha MPs summoned by Nabin are:
- Kamaljeet Sehrawat
- Ramvir Singh Bidhuri
- Yogender Chandolia
Their visit drew criticism from within political circles, including BJP leader and prominent 1984-riots victims’ lawyer HS Phoolka, who strongly objected to the decision to offer condolences to Kumar.
1984 Riots Legacy at Centre of Controversy
Sajjan Kumar’s political career was closely associated with the Congress before his conviction in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. His death and the subsequent reactions from politicians have once again brought the issue of the riots and political accountability into the spotlight.
The controversy has political significance beyond Delhi as well. With the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approaching, the BJP is particularly sensitive to issues involving the Sikh community and the legacy of the 1984 violence, according to political observers cited in reports.
BJP Faces Questions Over MPs’ Condolence Visit
The incident has placed the BJP in an unusual position, with the party having to distance itself from a condolence visit made by three of its own MPs.
Nabin’s intervention appears aimed at making clear that the visit should not be interpreted as representing the party’s official position on Sajjan Kumar or the 1984 riots. The episode also highlights the political sensitivity surrounding public expressions of sympathy for individuals associated with the violence.
For now, the BJP has confined its response to reprimanding the three MPs and clarifying the personal nature of their visit.
