Renowned activist HS Phoolka, former Leader of the Opposition in Punjab rejoins Bharatiya Janata Party

Renowned activist HS Phoolka, former Leader of the Opposition in Punjab rejoins Bharatiya Janata Party

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ April 1,2026

Padma Shri H.S. Phoolka—counsel for the victims of the horrific Sikh massacre that took place in 1984 under the oppressive Congress government, a Senior Advocate, a renowned social, human rights and child rights activist, and the former Leader of the Opposition in Punjab—formally joined the BJP family today, along with his supporters, at the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central office in New Delhi.  

The induction took place in the presence of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Punjab BJP State President Sunil Jakhar, and other senior leaders including  Punjab BJP State Working President  Ashwani Sharma, Delhi State BJP President  Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi government Minister  Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP National Media Head  Anil Baluni (MP), and BJP National Spokesperson  R.P. Singh. Union Minister  Hardeep Singh Puri officially welcomed  Phoolka into the BJP family by presenting him with the primary membership slip and the party stole.

Addressing the media, BJP National General Secretary  Tarun Chugh highlighted  Phoolka’s lifelong commitment to human rights. He said,  Phoolka has been the voice of the victims of the 1984 Sikh Genocide, orchestrated at the behest of the Gandhi-Nehru family. While 52 cities were turned into cremation grounds, the BJP was the only party that fought from the streets to the Parliament under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Lal Khurana .  Phoolka played a pivotal role in securing convictions for over 250 criminals in more than 70 cases.  Chugh also recalled that when the first BJP government was formed in Delhi in 1993, then CM Madan Lal Khurana appointed  Phoolka as his advisor, which accelerated the quest for justice and led to the official recognition of the Punjabi language in Delhi.

Union Minister  Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized that the events of 1984 were not “riots” but a premeditated genocide. He stated that it was a one-sided, planned slaughter of thousands of innocents. The Congress has yet to offer a proper apology. In fact, the recent remarks by Rahul Gandhi calling a Sikh MP a ‘traitor’ reflect the same old mindset.  Phoolka has fought selflessly for justice for decades. His joining will immensely strengthen the party’s resolve to serve the community.

While  Phoolka and his wife survived the Sikh massacre, many others—including members of his own family—lost their loved ones in various parts of Delhi.  Phoolka dedicated himself to a cause and, without any self-interest, has fought numerous battles to secure justice for the victims.

Speaking at the event, Padma Shri  H.S. Phoolka expressed his gratitude to  Prime Minister  Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister  Amit Shah, and BJP National President  Nitin Nabin. He shared a harrowing account of the 1984 violence – “November 02, 1984, was the most terrifying day of my life. My pregnant wife and I were hunted simply because I was a Sikh. My landlord belonged to a Punjabi Hindu family and was a staunch supporter of the BJP. He stepped forward to help me. His wife and daughter-in-law saved my life.” It was a planned genocide by the Congress and Indira Gandhi, which they later tried to mislabel as a ‘Hindu vs. Sikh’ conflict. In reality, it was ‘Congress vs. Sikhs. 

Those three days of 1984 constituted a well-orchestrated Sikh massacre by the Congress and Indira Gandhi, he further added. He said that when the Congress government was claiming only 650 deaths, it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who released a list of 2,700 murdered Sikhs. He was called anti-national for this, but he stood firm, stating he cared for the nation more than the elections.

. Phoolka stated that  Prime Minister  Narendra Modi has a special affection for Punjab and the Sikh community. To save Punjab, the BJP must be strengthened. I will work with full dedication to ensure a BJP government in Punjab in the upcoming elections.  Phoolka’s induction is seen as a major boost for the BJP in Punjab, bringing in a face synonymous with integrity, legal brilliance, and the fight for justice.