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Senior Advocate HS Phoolka Joins BJP, Leaving AAP Past Behind

Senior advocate and human rights activist HS Phoolka has formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi. A former prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, Phoolka had previously stated that entering politics was a mistake. He is widely known for his relentless legal battle seeking justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019.

Key Points: HS Phoolka Joins BJP, Ex-AAP Leader's Political Shift

  • Former AAP leader joins BJP
  • Known for 1984 anti-Sikh riots legal battle
  • Padma Shri awardee in 2019
  • Resigned from AAP in 2019
  • Contested Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat
2 min read

Senior advocate HS Phoolka formally joins the Bharatiya Janata Party

Senior advocate and 1984 riots activist HS Phoolka formally joins BJP. Former AAP leader from Punjab shifts allegiance in Delhi event.

"entering politics had been a mistake - HS Phoolka"

New Delhi, April 1

Senior Advocate and human rights activist HS Phoolka formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the national capital on Wednesday.

The event saw the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP's National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, and several other senior party leaders.

Phoolka, a former prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, joined the party in January 2014 and contested the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat, losing to Congress's Ravneet Singh Bittu by 19,709 votes.

In 2017, he won the Dakha constituency in the Punjab Assembly elections, defeating Akali leader Manpreet Singh Ayali. He resigned from all party positions in 2015 and officially left AAP in January 2019, stating that entering politics had been a mistake and choosing to focus entirely on his legal battles.

Phoolka is a senior advocate of the Delhi High Court, a human rights activist, author, and politician, known for his relentless fight for justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

He spearheaded one of the longest and most challenging legal battles to hold Congress leaders, including HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar, and Jagdish Tytler, accountable for their roles in the killings. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019.

Following the riots, Phoolka helped form the Citizens Justice Committee (CJC) in 1985, which brought together legal luminaries and human rights activists to represent the victims before various judicial commissions.

He also launched the website in 2001 to make documents and findings about the riots publicly accessible. Alongside another journalist, he co-authored When a Tree Shook Delhi, the first comprehensive account of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Respect for HS Phoolka ji's lifelong work for the victims. But as a voter, I'm confused. He left AAP saying politics was a mistake, and now he's back? 🤔 I hope his principles remain intact regardless of the party symbol.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see a human rights activist with such a specific focus on holding Congress accountable now joining the main opposition party. The political alignment in India around historical grievances is complex.
H
Harsh A
This is a masterstroke by BJP ahead of Punjab elections. Phoolka sahab is a respected name. His fight was always against the Congress for 1984. Joining BJP seems like a natural progression for that battle. 🙏
S
Shreya B
While I appreciate his legal work, I'm wary of activists becoming political pawns. The same system he fought against... now he's part of it? Hope he uses his position to actually deliver change, not just warm a seat.
K
Karthik V
Padma Shri awardee, senior advocate, and a tireless fighter. His expertise will be an asset. Politics needs more people with his kind of integrity and dedication to a cause. Best of luck to him!

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