Punjab Govt Withdraws Z+ Security of SAD Leader Bikram Singh Majithia Amid Controversy

The Punjab government has withdrawn the Z+ security provided to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is facing charges of drug smuggling. This action follows a statement by Majithia, where he threatened retaliatory action against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann once the Akalis return to power. In response, Majithia dismissed the withdrawal of his security, stating that he would continue to raise public issues and that the government could only silence him “by killing me,” as he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Majithia’s party, SAD, rallied behind him following the government’s decision, with former party president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemning the move. Badal alleged that this was part of a broader “witch-hunt” by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government against Majithia, particularly in the context of the ongoing drug charges against him. He added that the government’s actions were politically motivated, especially after AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal had previously apologized to Majithia for making false drug allegations.

SAD spokesperson Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema also condemned the security withdrawal, describing it as a “revengeful exercise.” He claimed it was part of a plot to create an environment that could lead to the physical elimination of top SAD leaders, pointing to the earlier attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal at Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Cheema also linked the withdrawal to a pattern of actions against the Akali Dal leadership.

Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira joined the criticism, drawing parallels to the security withdrawal of popular leader Sidhu Moosewala, who was tragically killed after his security was removed. Khaira argued that the withdrawal of Majithia’s security was driven by personal hatred and vendetta from the AAP government, and that it could potentially put Majithia’s life at risk, similar to the situation with Moosewala.

The controversy has sparked significant political debate in Punjab, with accusations flying between the ruling AAP government and opposition parties over the security and safety of political leaders.