Vijay Sampla alleges Govt backing behind attack on him in Hoshiarpur
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 16, 2026: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Minister Vijay Sampla on Wednesday alleged that the attack on him during a protest over the alleged vandalism of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s statue in Hoshiarpur’s Barian Kalan was carried out by people backed by Punjab government functionaries.
Sampla demanded immediate arrest of those involved and a probe into what he described as a “conspiracy” behind the incident.
Sampla was allegedly manhandled and attacked during a protest at Barian Kalan village in the Chabbewal Assembly constituency, where he had arrived following the reported vandalism of an Ambedkar statue. Police said unidentified persons had allegedly thrown stones at the statue early Tuesday, damaging its face and a finger. An FIR has been registered and police are examining CCTV footage to identify those responsible.
Speaking to the media after the incident, Sampla alleged that some people managing the protest stage raised slogans against him and the BJP and made objectionable remarks. He said he subsequently asked the DSP present at the spot to intervene and maintain order.
According to Sampla, he later went towards the stage after an announcement that he would be asked questions. He alleged that when he attempted to speak on the microphone, he was pushed and manhandled, with one person striking him from the front and another attacking him from behind. Party workers, he said, intervened and shielded him.
Reports from the spot said Sampla sustained minor injuries during the confrontation, which involved BJP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers. Police intervened to separate the groups.
Sampla alleged that the presence of BSP flags at the stage raised questions about the organisers’ responsibility. At the same time, he said the incident could not be attributed to the BSP alone and alleged that the Punjab government had backed the attackers because police personnel present at the site allegedly remained passive.
He also demanded that the people managing the stage be identified and arrested, saying that although he did not personally know those who allegedly attacked him, they would be known to the local police because they were involved in organising the programme.
Referring to recent incidents involving Ambedkar statues, Sampla questioned why such incidents occurred whenever major issues arose in Punjab. He claimed that similar incidents had been reported several times in Hoshiarpur and elsewhere in the state.
Sampla also referred to the ongoing political controversy surrounding the death of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur and allegations concerning the treatment of Mohanjeet Singh, saying the timing of the statue vandalism raised questions. These references were part of his political allegations and were not independently established by him in his remarks.
Police have said the investigation into the Barian Kalan statue vandalism is underway and that efforts are being made to identify and arrest those responsible.