Former Haryana Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Sharma has formally asked Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to remove MP Deepender Hooda from the Congress Working Committee. The demand follows significant backlash over Hooda's comments regarding the late Sajjan Kumar, a convict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The controversy creates political risk for the party ahead of upcoming elections in Punjab.
Former Haryana Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Sharma has taken a strong stand against party colleague and MP Deepender Hooda. In a formal letter written on August 23, 2026, Sharma urged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to remove Hooda from the Congress Working Committee (CWC). This move comes as a direct response to comments made by Hooda following the death of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who passed away on August 20, 2026.
Sajjan Kumar was a controversial figure who had been convicted for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Following his death, remarks attributed to Deepender Hooda triggered widespread outrage. Critics and opposition parties claimed that Hooda described Kumar as a "role model" and an "irreparable loss." This language deeply offended the Sikh community, which has long sought justice for the riots.
Internal Party Discord and Political Risk
The controversy has highlighted internal divisions within the Congress party. Several senior leaders from Punjab, including state president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, have publicly distanced themselves from Hooda’s statements. This public disagreement among senior leaders poses a political risk to the party, as it creates an image of a divided house ahead of crucial elections in Punjab.
Opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), have actively utilized the situation to criticize Congress. They have demanded apologies and swift action, arguing that the party is insensitive to the sentiments of the Sikh community. For any political party, such alienation of a specific voter base can lead to significant electoral damage.
Hooda’s Clarification and Next Steps
Deepender Hooda has denied using the term "role model" or supporting the actions for which Sajjan Kumar was convicted. He stated that his comments were misinterpreted and that he has always stood with the Sikh community and victims of the riots. Despite his clarification, the demand for his removal from the CWC remains a point of contention.
The key monitorable for political observers will be how the Congress high command handles this internal crisis. The party must balance the need for internal discipline with the potential impact on its electoral prospects in Punjab. Whether Mallikarjun Kharge takes action or attempts to resolve the rift internally will be the next major development to watch.