New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday took sharp digs at Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta after she appeared to misstate historical facts while referring to freedom fighter Bhagat Singh during a speech in the Delhi Assembly. The remarks, in which Gupta reportedly said that Bhagat Singh and his comrades threw a bomb against the “deaf Congress government,” drew ridicule from opposition lawmakers, who described it as a comical distortion of history.

In her speech during the Delhi assembly’s budget session, Gupta attempted to highlight Delhi’s historical significance. She began with a reference to the Mahabharata, briefly mentioned Prithviraj Chauhan, and then moved to the 1929 Central Legislative Assembly bombing by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt. However, while narrating the revolutionary act, she reportedly said, “Delhi has heard the revolution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, when they threw the bomb against the deaf Congress government,” instead of acknowledging that the act was directed against the British colonial authorities.

AAP leaders quickly seized on the error, mocking Gupta’s apparent historical inaccuracy. Sanjeev Jha, MLA from Burari, called it the “updated version of history,” writing on X that the revolutionaries were now being portrayed as targeting the Congress government rather than the British regime. “The history is now in ‘remix’ mode,” Jha quipped. He further joked, “Next time, we might even hear that Chandragupta Maurya expanded his empire under the direction of Gandhiji.”

Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bhardwaj also joined the chorus, asserting that Gupta had “embarrassed India.” He reminded the public that even schoolchildren are aware that Bhagat Singh’s 1929 bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly was a protest against British rule, not any post-independence Indian government.

The AAP’s comments come amid growing political tussles in the Delhi assembly ahead of upcoming civic and state elections. Party leaders used the incident to highlight what they described as the ruling party’s disconnect with basic historical facts and governance.

The gaffe, which occurred at the 1-hour-45-minute mark of the official webcast of the assembly proceedings, has since gone viral on social media, with clips of Gupta’s remarks circulating widely. Several users have created memes and commentary highlighting the historical inaccuracy, further amplifying the criticism.

As of now, neither Rekha Gupta nor the Delhi government has issued a clarification or response to the AAP’s criticism. Political observers note that such misstatements, though minor, can become potent flashpoints in Delhi’s highly competitive political environment, especially when they involve revered national figures like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.

The Delhi CM’s comment has also prompted discussions among historians and educators on the importance of accurate historical representation in public discourse. Experts say that while the remark may have been a slip of the tongue, it underscores the need for public officials to carefully verify historical references, particularly when speaking in formal legislative settings.

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev are widely celebrated for their role in India’s struggle for independence. The 1929 Central Legislative Assembly bombing was carried out as a non-lethal protest against repressive laws introduced by the British, with the intent to awaken public consciousness rather than cause loss of life. Historians note that misattributing such actions to the Congress government not only distorts historical facts but can also lead to unnecessary political controversy.

The opposition party’s ridicule of Gupta’s speech highlights the broader strategy of leveraging perceived mistakes to create political narratives. AAP leaders used the incident not just to critique the CM’s historical inaccuracy but also to frame the ruling party as disconnected from public knowledge and education.

In the Delhi assembly, speeches and debates on budget and governance issues often involve historical references to contextualize policy decisions. However, experts caution that even small lapses in factual accuracy can be seized upon by political rivals, particularly in an election-sensitive environment like Delhi.

The viral spread of Gupta’s remarks on social media has led to renewed discussions on the need for political leaders to maintain precision in public statements, especially when invoking revered historical figures. Social media users have pointed out that Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary act was against the British authorities who ruled India at the time, not any Indian government that came into existence post-1947.

Political analysts suggest that the AAP’s response, while humorous, also serves a strategic purpose of questioning the credibility of the current Delhi government in matters of governance and public communication. Such incidents, though minor in content, often gain traction in media cycles and can influence public perception ahead of elections.

The incident has once again placed the spotlight on how historical events are referenced in political discourse and the potential repercussions of misstatements in legislative forums. Observers note that while Rekha Gupta’s intent was likely to evoke a sense of patriotic pride and highlight Delhi’s rich historical legacy, the misrepresentation opened the door for political satire and criticism.

For now, the matter remains a talking point among political circles, educators, and social media users alike, as debates continue over the accuracy of historical representation in political speeches. The Delhi CM and her administration have not indicated whether any clarification or correction will be issued in the assembly or through official channels.