The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Tuesday held protests across Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the participation of its three MPs, Ramvir Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat, in the tribute sabha of Sajjan Kumar, a convicted accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Strongly condemning the participation of the BJP MPs, AAP leaders said the 1984 massacre remains a deep and unhealed wound for Sikh families and that paying tribute to Sajjan Kumar has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.

The AAP demanded that the BJP take action against the three MPs and questioned how elected representatives holding responsible public positions could visit the residence of a person convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and pay their respects. The AAP leaders questioned how BJP MPs holding responsible public positions could visit the residence of a person convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and pay their respects.

In Amritsar, AAP karyakartas held a protest outside the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh and attempted to ‘gherao’ his residence. Heavy police deployment and barricading were put in place, with the police stopping the protesters from reaching the residence.

Addressing the protesters, AAP MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur said, “The 1984 massacre remains a deep and unhealed wound for Sikh families. Both the BJP and Congress have repeatedly acted against the interests of Punjab and the Sikh community. How can BJP leaders honour a person whose name remains associated with the 1984 massacre?”

Jeevan Jyot Kaur said, “The participation of BJP leaders in Sajjan Kumar’s tribute is deeply hurtful to the families of the victims. The families who lost their loved ones continue to carry the pain of that tragedy, and their sentiments must be respected.”

In Jalandhar, AAP MLA Balkar Singh said, “The 1984 pogrom left an extremely painful memory for the Sikh community. Innocent Sikhs were brutally killed, and their families have carried that pain for decades. At such a time, the participation of senior BJP leaders in Sajjan Kumar’s tribute demonstrates where the BJP stands on the issue of justice for the victims.”

The AAP MLA said, “The BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal should not try to play politics over the wounds of Punjab. The pain of the families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cannot be used for political convenience.”

In Ludhiana, AAP leaders, MLAs, councillors, chairpersons, directors and party office-bearers staged a protest against the participation of the three BJP MPs in Sajjan Kumar’s last rites.

Ludhiana East MLA Daljit Singh Grewal said, “Punjab is the land of the Gurus, saints and martyrs. Punjabis will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the pain of Sikh families affected by the 1984 massacre.”

Daljit Singh Grewal said, “The participation of BJP MPs in Sajjan Kumar’s tribute has further hurt the sentiments of the victims’ families. The BJP and Congress have joined hands politically against Punjab, and the people of Punjab will not accept such politics.”

In Bathinda, AAP karyakartas held a protest and raised slogans against the BJP over what they described as the party’s proximity to those associated with the 1984 massacre.

AAP karyakartas demanded that the BJP take action against Ramvir Bidhuri, Yogender Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat and respect the sentiments of the Sikh community.

AAP leaders said, “The 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain an unhealed wound for thousands of families. The Aam Aadmi Party will continue to raise its voice for justice and dignity for the victims and their families. Any attempt to disregard their pain and sentiments will be strongly opposed.”

The AAP Punjab leaders reiterated that the party would continue to stand with the victims and families of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and fight for justice, dignity and accountability.

An infection that may initially appear routine can become life-threatening within hours when it progresses to sepsis and septic shock.

Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) has recorded 12,467 treatments for sepsis and septic shock, worth ₹51.58 crore, till September 1, highlighting both the medical and financial burden of the condition.

Of these, severe sepsis accounted for 10,961 treatments worth ₹44.33 crore, while 1,506 septic-shock treatments involved ₹7.25 crore. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. Almost any infection can trigger sepsis, with infections of the lungs, urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal tract among the common sources.

Sepsis is not simply an infection. As the body’s response becomes dysregulated, organs may begin to malfunction. In severe cases, falling blood pressure and inadequate blood flow can progress to septic shock.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh stressed the importance of timely recognition. “Sepsis can become progressively more dangerous. When it leads to serious circulatory problems and inadequate blood flow to vital organs, the patient may progress to septic shock,” he said.

Patients with septic shock may require intensive care, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, medicines to support blood pressure, oxygen or mechanical ventilation and, in some cases, support for failing organs. Such treatment can quickly become expensive, making financial protection particularly important for families.

The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually to eligible families, helping reduce the financial barrier to critical treatment.

The scheme’s sepsis figures underline how such financial protection can matter when treatment requirements escalate rapidly.

The threat is especially acute among newborns. Dr Shashi Kant Dhir, Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, said subtle changes in a newborn should not be ignored. “In newborns, even a small change in behaviour can be an important warning sign,” he said, adding that premature and low-birth-weight babies could deteriorate within hours.

Poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, feeling cold and changes in breathing can signal serious illness in a newborn and require urgent medical assessment.

Antibiotics remain essential when a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed, but inappropriate use can fuel antimicrobial resistance. Self-medication, using leftover antibiotics or stopping treatment without medical advice can make infections harder to treat.

The CDC identifies confusion, difficulty breathing, extreme pain or discomfort, fever or unusually low temperature, clammy skin and rapid heart rate among warning signs requiring urgent attention.

Sepsis therefore demands action on two fronts: rapid medical recognition and treatment, and protection against catastrophic healthcare costs. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana data underline the scale of the financial burden, while the clinical message is simple: when a patient with an infection suddenly deteriorates, delay can cost both money and, more importantly, a life.