AAP apologises for using Golden Temple's image on manifesto

Facing criticism for using the image of the Golden Temple on the cover page of its 'Youth Manifesto' for Punjab Assembly polls, AAP on Tuesday tendered an apology, saying it did not intend to "undermine any section of the society".

Chief of the Punjab Dialogue Kanwar Sandhu said, "Some people had raised objection against the cover page of the party's 'Youth Manifesto'. We tender an apology to everyone whose sentiments were hurt and will ensure that it does not happen again."

AAP leader Ashish Khetan said the party never "intended to undermine any section, community or any individual". Khetan had reportedly compared the manifesto with the Guru Granth Sahib ji and other religious books while launching it in Amritsar.

Earlier, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked AAP for using the image of the Golden Temple on the cover page of its manifesto with the party's election symbol of broom superimposed on it, saying it amounted to "desecration" of the holy book and sought an apology from AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

In a scathing attack on Kejriwal, Badal said the Delhi Chief Minister was "mentally sick".