Punjab assembly polls: Party not only of topiwallahs, wear basanti turbans, says AAP to supporters

In a video message sent out by AAP Canada convenor Jaskirat Mann, she says the “opposition needs to be given a strong message that AAP is not a party of topiwallahs only”.

She adds “it is a false propaganda by opposition to keep Sikhs away from AAP”.

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“It is our earnest request to AAP supporters that they adorn bright basanti (yellow) coloured dastar (turbans) and attend AAP gatherings.

We need to create a movement and basanti is the colour of revolution. That is what Shaheed Bhagat Singh adorned gracefully and guarding his ideology to protect our country, our Punjab- AAP Sikh volunteers and supporters are requested to wear yellow turbans.

Women can wear yellow dupattas. Let us come together and beat this false propaganda of the opposition that AAP is a party of topiwallahs only,” says Mann, in the video message.

Interestingly, the ‘basanti’ colour has been played up by various politicians in the past few years in Punjab. It started with Manpreet Badal, who, while launching his People’s Party of Punjab (PPP), announced it as his party’s colour.

He claimed PPP will “create a revolution in Punjab” by following the ideology of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Now in Congress, he has asked PPP followers to wear yellow turbans and attend rallies. Then a part of PPP and now AAP MP, Bhagwant Mann is also seen in basanti turban in public. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, too, wore yellow turban to associate with Sikhs at Maghi Mela in Muktsar recently. Indian National Youth Congress president Raja Warring too shows up frequently in yellow turban.

Speaking to The Indian Express over phone from Canada, Mann said, “Opposition parties are trying to defame us. It is false propaganda that AAP is party of topiwallahs only. Sometimes our Sikh supporters wear AAP topi above their turban to show that they support AAP.

But we would like to clarify that wearing a topi is not a proof of being an AAP supporter. We respect all the cultures and turban is most welcome. We want our Sikh supporters to wear basanti turbans and attend party gatherings. AAP is party of every common man- be it a Hindu wearing topi, Muslim wearing skull cap or Sikh wearing a turban. Thus, we have issued this appeal.”

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