Expressing doubts over the Punjab government’s ability to ensure a fair probe, Lal stated that the BJP’s panel would prepare an independent investigation report and submit it to the central government. “We do not believe the Amritsar administration or Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will conduct a proper investigation. I have firsthand knowledge of the internal situation in Punjab, including the recent blasts in police stations, as I have been part of the police force myself,” he said.When asked about the timeline for submitting their report, Lal responded that it would be completed soon.The other panel members included BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha national president Lal Singh Arya, former Union minister Som Parkash, national spokesperson Guruprakash Paswan, Uttar Pradesh minister Aseem Arun, and BJP leader from Ambala, Banto Dev Kataria. The delegation also paid floral tributes to Ambedkar at his statue in Amritsar before commencing their probe.On January 26, Punjab Police arrested Akash Singh, a resident of Dharamkot in Moga district, for allegedly attempting to damage the Ambedkar statue at the Town Hall on Heritage Street, which leads to the Golden Temple. A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing a man climbing atop the statue using a steel ladder while carrying a hammer. He was seen repeatedly striking the statue and also damaging the symbolic Constitution book that is part of the monument.The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with political parties trading blame. The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.
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