Chandigarh: A social media post by Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira triggered sharp exchanges in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday, with AAP legislators strongly objecting to the remarks and the issue leading to a heated debate in the House.
The controversy began after Khaira’s post on social media drew criticism from ruling Aam Aadmi Party leaders, particularly women MLAs, who condemned the remarks and demanded accountability. The issue soon spilt into the Assembly, where members from the treasury benches raised objections and sought to highlight what they described as objectionable language in the post.
Amid the uproar, Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Mrs Ganieve Kaur Majithia intervened and questioned what she called selective outrage by AAP leaders on issues related to women’s dignity.
Speaking in the House, Mrs Majithia said that AAP women legislators who are “shouting their lungs out” over Khaira’s social media post should first clarify whether they are willing to condemn remarks made by their own Chief Minister about women during public speeches. She alleged that objectionable expressions have been used earlier as well and asked whether the ruling party would criticise such language with the same intensity.
Mrs Majithia said that respect for women cannot be selective or driven by political convenience. “If a remark about women is unacceptable, it should be unacceptable regardless of who makes it,” she said.
The Akali MLA also raised the issue of Anganwadi workers who had recently staged protests over their demands. Referring to videos that circulated during the agitation, Mrs Majithia questioned whether the alleged pushing and manhandling of women workers could be described as respect for women.
During the proceedings, when the Speaker called Mrs Majithia’s name and allowed her to speak, some members on the treasury benches began laughing. Objecting to the reaction, Mrs Majithia asked why MLAs had started laughing when she was given the floor by the Speaker. She questioned whether such behaviour reflected respect for women in the Assembly.
The exchange soon turned heated as several AAP women MLAs stood up and began arguing with Mrs Majithia over her remarks. The situation led to brief commotion in the House before proceedings continued.
However, Speaker Sandhwan passed condemnation resolution against Khaira.
Mrs. Majithia also referred to families who have lost their sons in alleged fake encounters, saying that the grief of mothers in such cases deserves empathy and attention. She maintained that issues concerning women’s dignity and justice should be addressed consistently and not only when they become part of political disputes.
