He was welcomed by a high-profile delegation of leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, and Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar. Other prominent figures in attendance included Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu and Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
A Legacy of Legal Activism
Phoolka is nationally renowned for his decades-long legal crusade to secure justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. His relentless advocacy led to several landmark convictions of high-ranking political figures. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to human rights and legal service.
Strategic Political Shift
Formerly a key figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Phoolka served as the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly before resigning in 2018. His move to the BJP is seen as a strategic boost for the party in Punjab, providing a credible "Panthic" face as it seeks to expand its footprint within the Sikh community ahead of the 2027 state elections.