Deepender Hooda Regrets Sajjan Kumar Remarks, Says ‘Role Model’ Words Were Never Used

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Rohtak Congress MP Deepender Hooda has sought to clarify his controversial remarks on the death of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, denying that he ever described the convicted politician as a “role model” while expressing regret if his comments caused hurt to members of the Sikh community.

The clarification came after Hooda faced criticism from political opponents and sections of his own party over comments made following Sajjan Kumar’s death. Kumar, a former Congress MP who was serving two life sentences in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died at the age of 80 on Thursday.

Hooda had earlier condoled Kumar’s death and described it as a loss to the country’s political landscape. He also referred to Kumar’s connection with people and his contribution to Delhi’s development. Those remarks quickly triggered controversy, particularly because of Kumar’s conviction in a case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh violence.

As criticism intensified, allegations emerged that Hooda had called Sajjan Kumar a “role model”. Hooda has now firmly rejected that characterization, saying he neither used those words nor intended to convey such a sentiment.

Deepender Hooda Denies Calling Sajjan Kumar a Role Model

Speaking to reporters in Gurugram on Sunday, Hooda said the phrase “role model” had not been part of his statement.

“I did not use the words, nor did I harbour any such sentiment,” Hooda said, arguing that the remarks were being presented in a distorted manner.

He said certain people were attempting to put words into his mouth for political reasons and maintained that he had never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings.

Hooda later released a video on X to explain his position in greater detail. In the video, he said that his statement had been “distorted and presented out of context” over the previous two days.

According to Hooda, the words “role model” were being attributed to him even though he had never uttered them and had no intention of conveying such a message.

The controversy, however, has placed the Congress MP under considerable political pressure. The issue is particularly sensitive because Sajjan Kumar remains one of the most controversial political figures associated with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Hooda Expresses Regret to Sikh Community

While denying that he called Sajjan Kumar a role model, Hooda also adopted a conciliatory tone in his clarification.

He said he had absolutely no intention of hurting anyone and could not imagine causing pain to members of the Sikh community. Hooda described the Sikh community as being like family and said he regretted it if anyone’s feelings had been hurt.

Hooda ended his video with “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh”, underlining his attempt to reach out to the Sikh community amid the growing controversy.

He also spoke at length about the historical contribution of Sikhs to India, particularly their sacrifices in defending the country and during the freedom struggle.

Hooda said he took pride in the sacrifices made by the Sikh community and emphasized the close relationship between people in Haryana and Punjab.

Referring to the farmers’ agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, Hooda said he was among the first to reach out when farmers from Punjab arrived during the protest.

He used the example to argue that his political and personal relationship with the Sikh community had always been based on solidarity and brotherhood.

Hooda Says 1984 Victims Deserve Justice

The Congress MP also directly addressed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, an issue that remains deeply sensitive decades after the violence.

Hooda said that he stood with the Sikh community in its demand for justice over the events of 1984. He added that the victims deserved justice and that no person found guilty should be spared.

The statement was significant because much of the criticism against Hooda centered on the perception that his earlier comments had been sympathetic toward Sajjan Kumar.

Sajjan Kumar was convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and was serving two life sentences. His political legacy remains closely associated with the violence that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

For Sikh families affected by the violence, references to Kumar continue to carry considerable emotional weight. That sensitivity has made Hooda’s remarks a major political issue, particularly in Punjab.

Political Backlash Spreads Across Punjab

The controversy quickly moved beyond Haryana and drew strong reactions from political parties in Punjab.

AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal criticized Hooda’s remarks and said the wounds of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence remained alive in the hearts of Sikh families.

Dhaliwal argued that if a senior Congress leader described Sajjan Kumar as a role model, it would raise serious questions about the mindset and politics of the party.

The BJP also attacked the Congress over the controversy. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said the wounds of the 1984 violence had not healed even after more than four decades.

Dhillon argued that describing a key convict in the case as a role model would amount to reopening painful memories for victim families.

The criticism placed the Congress in a difficult political position, particularly in Punjab, where the memory of the 1984 violence continues to influence political discourse.

Congress leaders in the state subsequently sought to distance themselves from Hooda’s comments, indicating that the controversy was not representative of the Punjab Congress unit’s position.

Congress Leaders Distance Themselves From Remarks

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring attempted to distance the state Congress unit from Hooda’s comments, suggesting that the remarks could represent Hooda’s personal views.

Another senior Congress leader, former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, went further in his criticism of Sajjan Kumar.

Channi described Kumar as a “murderer of Sikhs” and a “traitor” and rejected any suggestion that Kumar could be considered a role model.

He said Kumar had been involved in a conspiracy that led to the killing of Sikhs and argued that even speaking of him as a role model was unacceptable.

Channi’s remarks reflected the sharp divisions within the political response to Hooda’s statement. While Hooda has maintained that he never used the disputed phrase, other Congress leaders have publicly emphasized the party’s opposition to glorifying individuals convicted in connection with the 1984 violence.

The competing statements have also highlighted how politically sensitive the subject remains within the Congress itself.

Kuldeep Sharma Seeks Action Against Hooda

The controversy has also created pressure for disciplinary action within the Congress.

Senior Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Sharma reportedly wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge seeking Hooda’s removal from the Congress Working Committee.

Sharma objected to what he described as Hooda’s praise of Sajjan Kumar and sought action over the remarks.

The demand has added an internal party dimension to a controversy that was initially driven largely by opposition criticism.

For Hooda, the issue is particularly significant because he is a prominent Congress leader and represents Rohtak in the Lok Sabha. His political standing in Haryana and his position within the party have made the controversy more consequential than an isolated statement.

Hooda’s latest clarification appears aimed at limiting the political fallout while simultaneously addressing concerns within the Sikh community.

Why Sajjan Kumar Remains a Sensitive Name

Sajjan Kumar’s death has revived attention on one of the most painful chapters in India’s recent political history.

The 1984 anti-Sikh riots followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Thousands of Sikhs were killed during the violence in Delhi and other parts of the country.

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For decades, victims and their families continued to demand accountability and justice. Sajjan Kumar eventually faced conviction in connection with the violence and was serving life imprisonment.

Because of that history, public comments about Kumar can quickly become politically charged, especially when they come from leaders associated with the Congress.

Hooda’s original condolence remarks therefore attracted scrutiny far beyond the immediate circumstances of Kumar’s death. His reference to Kumar’s political contribution and public connect was interpreted by critics as praise for a figure whose name remains closely linked to the 1984 violence.

Hooda has now attempted to draw a clear distinction between acknowledging Kumar’s political career and endorsing his actions or legacy.

Hooda’s Clarification Comes Amid Rising Political Pressure

Hooda’s clarification represents an effort to bring the controversy under control while reaffirming his support for justice for victims of the 1984 violence.

By denying that he used the term “role model”, Hooda has challenged the central allegation against him. At the same time, his expression of regret if his remarks hurt members of the Sikh community suggests that he recognizes the emotional impact of the controversy.

His reference to Sikh sacrifices, the farmers’ movement and the demand for justice in the 1984 cases was also aimed at reinforcing his long-standing political position on relations between Haryana and Punjab.

The controversy, however, may continue to generate political debate, particularly in Punjab and within the Congress. With rival parties already using the issue to question the Congress’s position on the 1984 riots, Hooda’s clarification is unlikely to end the political discussion immediately.

For now, the Rohtak MP has maintained that he never called Sajjan Kumar a role model, while acknowledging that his comments created hurt and controversy. His message to the Sikh community was one of regret, solidarity and support for justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.