Senior Advocate HS Phoolka Joins BJP, Citing Punjab's Law and Order Crisis

Senior advocate HS Phoolka has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, citing the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab and environmental concerns as his motivations for returning to politics. Known for his advocacy for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Phoolka expressed his long-standing ties with the BJP and his commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing Punjab. His political journey includes a previous association with the Aam Aadmi Party, where he faced electoral challenges. With a focus on legal advocacy and human rights, Phoolka aims to make a significant impact in his new role within the BJP.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 1, 2026, 17:45 IST

HS Phoolka's Political Comeback

On Wednesday, prominent lawyer HS Phoolka officially became a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He attributed his return to politics to the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, the threat of drug abuse, and environmental issues. Phoolka, known for his relentless legal advocacy for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was previously associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from 2014 to 2017. After joining the BJP, he expressed to a news outlet, 'For the past 40 years, I have fought for the victims of the 1984 riots, and the BJP has supported me throughout. I have worked alongside them in my fight and have also done significant legal work for the party. Although I was with AAP for three years, my close ties have always been with the BJP.'

Concerns Over Punjab's Situation

Phoolka voiced his worries regarding the worsening conditions in Punjab, highlighting both governance and environmental challenges. He stated, 'The situation in Punjab is indeed very dire, with extortion calls being made, law and order in shambles, and the looming threat of drugs. If this continues, Punjab's land will become barren in the next 13-14 years. However, the government seems indifferent to these issues. Therefore, I am returning to politics for Punjab's sake. There is no better party than the BJP for my comeback.'

Joining Ceremony and Political History

Phoolka joined the BJP in the presence of several senior party leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. He was a prominent leader in AAP, having joined the party in January 2014 and contested elections from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat, where he lost to Congress's Ravneet Singh Bittu by 19,709 votes.

Past Political Journey

In 2017, he won the Dhaka seat in the Punjab Assembly elections against Akali leader Manpreet Singh Ayali. However, he resigned from all party positions in 2015 and officially left AAP in January 2019, stating that entering politics was a mistake and that he wanted to focus entirely on his legal work.

Phoolka's Advocacy and Recognition

HS Phoolka is a senior advocate at the Delhi High Court, a human rights activist, author, and politician, renowned for his tireless pursuit of justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He led one of the longest and most challenging legal battles to hold Congress leaders like HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar, and Jagdish Tytler accountable for their roles in the violence. In recognition of his efforts, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019. Following the riots, Phoolka played a crucial role in establishing the Citizens Justice Committee (CJC) in 1985, which brought together legal experts and human rights activists to represent victims before various judicial commissions.