Jealousy, Opposition over “Saffron Turban” identity within Punjab BJP, harmed me, associates: Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal Bhukhri Kalan
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), August 21, 2026: Former National BJP Leader and Advocate Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal Bhukhri Kalan said that over the past 34 years, there has been a persistent sense of jealousy, opposition and fear within the Punjab BJP leadership regarding his distinctive “Saffron Turban” identity across the world and his identity as a strong grassroots leader of Punjab.
He said that continuous efforts were made to stop, suppress and obstruct both him and his associates in their organisational growth.
Grewal wrote on his social media accounts Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, Threads and especially X account that during his 34-year journey, spanning nearly three and a half decades, he had endured a great deal both physically and mentally.
He said that he has much to say about what happened to him during this long organisational journey and what he was made to go through.
“When the appropriate time comes, I will place the entire truth before the world, the people of India, Punjabis and especially the Sikh community living across the world,” Grewal said.
Grewal expressed strong and emotional resentment over what he described as deliberate organisational neglect of himself and his associates despite 34 years of honest, disciplined and selfless service in the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Grewal said, “Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, when you were in charge of Punjab BJP, I was the State President of the Punjab Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. We worked within the same organisational system and witnessed the party’s journey very closely.
At that time, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, you would travel across Punjab with me week after week in my own private car and attend meetings. During those days, I and my Yuva Morcha colleagues would sometimes not even take fruits or other household items home for our children. Despite difficult circumstances, we travelled throughout Punjab, putting fuel in our vehicles from our own pockets, serving you and working for the organisation. But we did not undertake that journey to see a day like this.
After 34 years of honest, disciplined and selfless service, I am today compelled, with a deeply saddened heart, to ask: Why were my associates and I deliberately ignored? Ultimately, what are my associates and I being punished for? Was remaining loyal, disciplined and silent for so many years, along with my colleagues, our biggest mistake?”
He said that since 1978, several leaders in the Punjab BJP had risen through the organisation and moved forward, including Madan Mohan Mittal, Balram Das Tandon, Manoranjan Kalia, Brij Lal Rinwa, Avinash Rai Khanna, Rajinder Bhandari, Ashwani Sharma, Kamal Sharma, Vijay Sampla and Shwet Malik. He said that thereafter, Ashwani Sharma was also given another opportunity to serve as Punjab BJP President.
Making a special reference to Shwet Malik, Grewal said that when he was the State President of the Punjab Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Shwet Malik was then a simple Working Committee Member in the Yuva Morcha team alongside him. Later, he was given the opportunity to become Punjab BJP President and was also elected to the Rajya Sabha.
Grewal further said that Ashwani Sharma was given the opportunity to serve as Punjab BJP President for a third time, whereas despite his long years of service, he was not given a similar organisational responsibility in Punjab. He asked, “Is this not discrimination?”
In the same context, Grewal also took a sarcastic jibe at Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini. He said that at one time, Nayab Singh Saini had been junior to him in the organisation. At that time, Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal was the All-India Secretary of the BJP Kisan Morcha, while Nayab Singh Saini was the President of the Haryana Pradesh BJP Kisan Morcha.
Grewal remarked that today Nayab Singh Saini is being taken around Punjab wearing a saffron turban.
Laughing, Grewal said, “Does putting a saffron turban on Nayab Singh Saini make him Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal?”
“If this is not discrimination and organisational bias, then what else is it?” Grewal asked.
Grewal alleged that despite his long years of service, he was not given any appropriate organisational position in Punjab for many years and was instead sent outside Punjab to work in different states and regions. However, he said that he never broke his connection with the people of Punjab and BJP workers.
“Despite being sent outside Punjab for organisational responsibilities, I remained continuously connected with the people of Punjab and BJP workers. Even today, I remain in touch with them,” Grewal said.
Grewal said that several leaders associated with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha were subsequently given important organisational opportunities, including the responsibility of Punjab BJP President and positions at the national level.
“Then, despite 34 years of grassroots service, sacrifice and organisational commitment, why were my associates and I repeatedly kept behind?” he asked.
Speaking about his journey, Grewal said that today he stands as a “Saffron-Turbaned Jat Sikh,” farmer, village Numberdar, Advocate and grassroots worker, who devoted 34 years of his life to the organisation. He said that for nearly three and a half decades, he travelled an average of around 200 kilometres every day for organisational work and often fulfilled his responsibilities using his own vehicle and spending money from his own pocket.
Grewal further said that his organisational work also extended beyond India. He said that all this work was undertaken to expand the organisation’s reach and was never done for personal gain.
He said that his life before the world is like a clear mirror.
“There is no stain on me. I have never betrayed anyone’s trust, nor have I ever done anything that would cause the party or organisation to hang its head in shame. Yet today I am compelled to ask two painful questions—what was the fault of my associates and me? What were my associates and I punished for?” Grewal asked.
Grewal stated that on August 2, 2026, he had resigned from the primary membership of the BJP and was awaiting acceptance of his resignation.
He clarified that his resignation does not mean that he is withdrawing from public life or politics.
“I did not enter politics to sit at home, nor will I sit at home. My political journey will continue, especially in Punjab and in my great nation, India. I have served the organisation for 34 years and will continue to serve Punjab, the nation and the people with the same determination,” Grewal asserted.
Grewal strongly emphasised that his anger is not against any caste, family or any particular individual.
“My fight is against double standards, favouritism, discrimination and organisational injustice. I am demanding justice, accountability and respect for the grassroots worker,” he said.
Recalling the eternal spirit associated with Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, Grewal said that injustice cannot be allowed to become normal practice and that standing against injustice is the responsibility of every human being.
He said that the question of himself and his associates is no longer merely a personal question.
“This is the question of every old, loyal and grassroots worker and my colleagues who devoted their youth, time, sweat and blood to the organisation. If decades of loyalty and sacrifice can be ignored without any answer, then every grassroots worker has the right to ask what value is placed on his sacrifice,” Grewal said.
He further said that positions may change, political circumstances may change and individuals may come and go, but 34 years of honest service can neither be erased nor ignored.
“There may be a delay, but there is no darkness in the house of God. One day, history will certainly demand an account of my 34 years of selfless service. I have nothing to hide, nothing to fear and nothing to regret. I have served honestly, lived my life with my head held high, and I will continue my political journey with faith and courage,” Grewal said.