HS Phoolka, former AAP leader and 1984 Riots victims’ counsel, joins BJP

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Senior Supreme Court advocate HS Phoolka joins BJP in Delhi. Former AAP leader and 1984 riots victims’ counsel marks return to politics after years of legal activism.

Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and senior advocate HS Phoolka is to join the BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.

Senior Supreme Court advocate and noted human rights campaigner H S Phoolka formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, signalling a renewed political chapter after years devoted primarily to legal advocacy.

The induction took place in the national capital in the presence of senior party figures, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, among others.

Phoolka’s move marks a significant return to electoral politics for a figure long associated with the pursuit of justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

HS Phoolka: From AAP Leadership to Political Exit

Phoolka first entered politics with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2014, contesting the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat in Punjab. He lost the election to Congress leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, who has since joined the BJP and serves as a Union minister.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, Phoolka secured victory from the Dakha constituency, defeating Akali leader Manpreet Singh Ayali. He briefly served as Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly for approximately three months the same year.

However, his political journey with AAP was short-lived. After resigning from party positions in 2015, he formally exited the party in January 2019, later reflecting that entering politics had been a mistake and choosing to dedicate himself fully to legal work.

HS Phoolka: A Legal Crusade for 1984 Riot Victims

Phoolka’s public life has been defined by his sustained legal battle for justice on behalf of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots—one of the most protracted and complex human rights cases in India’s post-independence history.

As a senior advocate at the Delhi High Court, he played a central role in pursuing accountability against several Congress leaders, including HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, accused in connection with the violence.

In 1985, he helped establish the Citizens Justice Committee (CJC), a collective of legal experts and activists formed to represent victims before various judicial commissions. His efforts extended beyond the courtroom; in 2001, he launched a website to make documentation related to the riots publicly accessible.

Phoolka also co-authored When a Tree Shook Delhi, widely regarded as one of the earliest comprehensive accounts of the anti-Sikh violence.

HS Phoolka's Recognition and Public Service

In recognition of his decades-long commitment to justice and human rights, Phoolka was awarded the Padma Shri in 2019. His work has often been cited as instrumental in reviving stalled cases and bringing renewed attention to victims’ grievances.

His decision to step away from active politics in 2019 was seen as a conscious effort to focus on these legal battles, particularly in the Delhi High Court.

Strategic Shift as BJP Expands Outreach in Punjab

Phoolka’s entry into the BJP comes at a time when the party continues to expand its outreach in Punjab and among communities historically affected by the 1984 riots. His legal credentials and public stature may lend additional weight to the party’s narrative on justice and accountability.

While Phoolka has yet to publicly outline his political roadmap following his induction, his return underscores the enduring intersection of law, activism and politics in shaping India’s contemporary public life.

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