Kewal Dhillon Slams Kejriwal Over Sleeper Bus Crackdown and Pilgrimage Scheme Allegations

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-25 17:25:00

Political confrontation between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party escalated significantly on Sunday, October 25, 2026, following sharp remarks by BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon regarding regulatory actions on sleeper buses and the state pilgrimage initiative. Addressing statements made by AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, Dhillon contended that AAP leadership was attempting to divert public attention by misrepresenting nationwide passenger safety directives as targeted measures against Punjab. Emphasizing that safety enforcement should transcend party politics, the BJP leader called for prioritizing passenger security and safeguarding local transport operators over inter-state private interests.

Nationwide Safety Enforcement: Human Rights Commission Action Covers 1,000 Buses

Addressing the ongoing regulatory scrutiny on commercial passenger vehicles, the BJP leader outlined the national scope of recent transport directives:

Nationwide Regulatory Drive: Taking to social media platform X, Dhillon emphasized that recent enforcement actions initiated under Human Rights Commission observations are not restricted to Punjab, but form part of a coordinated pan-India passenger safety mandate.

Over 1,000 Vehicles Inspected: Dhillon noted that regulatory and transport bodies across multiple states have inspected or penalized more than 1,000 non-compliant sleeper buses over the past year to prevent fire hazards and emergency exit violations.

Reframing the Narrative: The BJP leader asserted that portraying uniform passenger safety guidelines as a regional dispute misleads commuters and risks compromising standard travel safety protocols for interstate passengers.

Protecting Local Interests: Questions Over Outside Bus Operators

The discourse highlighted broader concerns regarding the welfare of Punjab's domestic transport ecosystem:

Prioritizing Native Transporters: Dhillon alleged that administrative policies under the current state setup appear more accommodating toward private operators registered outside the state, rather than addressing grievances raised by local Punjabi fleet owners.

Economic Impact on Transporters: The BJP leadership argued that small-scale local operators and drivers in Punjab face regulatory burdens while out-of-state entities operate with fewer checks on key regional corridors.

Safeguarding Commuters: The opposition urged the government to focus its regulatory framework on ensuring uncompromised roadworthiness and emergency readiness across all commercial routes originating from the state.

The Pilgrimage Plan Debate: Citing Delhi's Model and Demanding Accountability

The exchange also encompassed political discourse surrounding subsidized pilgrimage programs for senior citizens:

Contrasting Delhi and Punjab Schemes: Questioning the rationale behind AAP's claims of obstruction, Dhillon pointed out that if senior citizen pilgrimage initiatives continue uninterrupted under administrative systems in Delhi, there is no justification for political rhetoric suggesting they would be halted in Punjab.

Senior Citizen Safety as Priority: Terming opposition assertions diversionary, Dhillon stated that ensuring the physical safety, comfortable transit, and dignified travel of elderly devotees remains the primary responsibility of the state executive.

Focus on Ground Realities: The BJP leadership concluded by urging the state administration to resolve administrative bottlenecks directly rather than engaging in rhetorical exchanges, ensuring transparency for beneficiaries across the state.

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