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Key Points

A BJP Punjab delegation met the Governor to protest alleged harassment of party workers by the AAP government. They claimed authorities are obstructing awareness camps meant to inform people about central welfare schemes. Meanwhile, police detained two BJP leaders who were setting up such camps in different constituencies. The state government defended its actions citing concerns about illegal data collection and potential misuse of personal information.

Key Points: Punjab BJP Meets Governor Over AAP Harassment of Party Workers

  • BJP alleges AAP government harassing workers conducting welfare scheme camps
  • Party demands protection for democratic rights to access information
  • Police detain former MP Rinku and ex-legislator Bhandari during camps
  • Government claims data collection without consent violates Digital Protection Act
3 min read

Punjab BJP delegation meets Governor, seeks intervention in 'harassment' of party workers

BJP Punjab delegation led by Ashwani Sharma meets Governor Kataria, alleges AAP government harassment of workers conducting central scheme awareness camps.

"We solicit your urgent intervention and appropriate directions in this matter in the larger interest of justice - BJP Memorandum"

Chandigarh, Aug 21

A delegation of the BJP's Punjab unit, led by working President Ashwani Sharma, on Thursday met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and sought intervention to prevent "harassment" of party workers by the AAP government in the state.

In a memorandum to the Governor, the Bharatiya Janata Party said the "continuous and deliberate harassment" was being inflicted upon the party workers, volunteers, and inhabitants of several villages across Punjab, where awareness camps have been initiated by the party to spread vital information about the Central government's welfare schemes.

The party demanded that the government should ensure that no obstruction is created in holding such awareness camps, which are purely for the welfare of the poor, the farmers, and the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe communities and safeguard the democratic rights of the people so that they can freely access information and avail benefits of the Union government's welfare initiatives without fear or intimidation.

Also, such obstruction not only violates the rights of the people but also undermines the very spirit of democracy and welfare enshrined in the Constitution, it said.

"We solicit your urgent intervention and appropriate directions in this matter in the larger interest of justice," reads the memorandum.

Meanwhile, police detained BJP leader and former MP Sushil Kumar Rinku and former party legislator K.D. Bhandari on Thursday.

While Rinku went to Adampur Assembly constituency to set up a camp related to the public schemes of the Central government, Bhandari was in the Shahpur Assembly constituency.

Anticipating a situation of conflict at these awareness camps, the police have rounded up both the leaders.

A day earlier, the government said it received credible reports that certain private operators are illegally collecting personal data of locals, allegedly on behalf of political parties.

An official spokesperson said under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), any collection or use of personal data without consent is a punishable offence.

The local police have been directed to take strict penal action against those engaged in such unlawful activities.

The government said it has also come to notice that several individuals who shared their data were later targeted in scams and banking frauds, including cases where phone numbers and OTPs were misused to siphon off money.

The government urged the people not to share their personal information with unauthorised persons or agencies, as it may be misused at any stage.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Both sides need to be responsible. The government has valid concerns about data protection - we've all heard about OTP scams. But political workers should also be allowed to do legitimate awareness work. There must be a middle ground.
A
Aman W
Typical political drama before elections! 🤦‍♂️ Both parties playing games while common people suffer. Just let the schemes reach the people who need them most - farmers and poor communities.
Sneha F
Data protection is a serious issue in Punjab. Many villagers have lost money to scams. The government is right to be cautious, but they should provide clear guidelines instead of just detaining people.
V
Vikram M
Why meet the Governor? This is state matter. AAP government was elected by Punjabis and they have the right to maintain law and order. If BJP has issues, they should approach courts rather than creating political drama.
K
Kavya N
As a Punjabi, I want to say - enough of this political fighting! We need schemes to reach villages properly. Both central and state governments should work together for people's benefit instead of this constant tug-of-war. 🙏

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