Grenade attack on house of BJP’s Kalia sparks political outrage
A recent grenade attack on the residence of former Punjab Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandhar has raised concerns about the law and order situation, drawing strong criticism from the Opposition.
Former MP and BJP national vice president Avinash Rai Khanna has condemned the attack and accused the AAP government of allowing criminal elements to flourish.
Khanna described the incident as a reflection of the government’s failure to maintain public safety. “The attack is a chilling reminder that even elected representatives are not safe in Punjab today. If public officials are being targeted in such a brazen manner, one can only imagine the plight and insecurity of ordinary citizens,” Khanna stated.
The grenade was reportedly thrown at Kalia’s residence late Monday night. While no casualties were reported, the explosion caused panic in the area. The police have launched an investigation and forensic teams were deployed to gather evidence. However, no arrests had been made.
Khanna did not mince words in his criticism of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, blaming his administration for what he described as a complete collapse of the law enforcement system. “Punjab’s streets are being taken over by criminals armed with sophisticated weapons. The Chief Minister seems more concerned with transferring police officers in bulk than ensuring the safety of the people,” he said.
He also accused the AAP government of neglecting core responsibilities in favour of political theatrics and personal agendas. “What does Mann truly want for Punjab?” he asked.
“He inherited a vibrant, progressive state — ‘Rangla Punjab.’ But under his leadership, it is fast turning into ‘Gandala Punjab,’ marred by fear, crime, and administrative paralysis,” he said.
Khanna urged the AAP leadership to prioritise governance over populism.
The attack on Kalia’s home has sparked political outrage across party lines, with several leaders calling for a high-level inquiry and the deployment of additional security measures for public representatives. While the government has yet to release an official statement on the incident, police officials have assured a thorough investigation.
As fear and anxiety grip the public, pressure mounts on the Mann-led administration to restore law and order and reassure citizens that the state remains under stable governance.
Jalandhar