Punjab Assembly Adopts Resolution Condemning Congress MLA Over Controversial Remarks
The Punjab Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated session on Tuesday as it adopted a resolution strongly condemning Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira for his allegedly "anti-poor" social media remarks concerning women. The controversy erupted in connection with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's announcement of a Rs 1,000 monthly stipend for women in the 2026–27 budget, sparking a stormy debate that forced three voice votes amid resistance from Congress members.
Stormy Debate and Voice Votes
The assembly proceedings turned tumultuous as treasury and opposition benches clashed over the issue. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa intervened on behalf of the Congress, expressing regret and offering an apology for Khaira's remarks while facing sharp criticism from AAP members. Bajwa informed the House that he had spoken to Khaira over the phone, stating that the MLA, who was out of town, would appear in the assembly on Wednesday to clarify his position.
"Khaira said he will come to the house tomorrow and give his clarification; you may then take a decision," Bajwa asserted, adding that the MLA had merely quoted a YouTuber and had not targeted any specific community. "Let's not twist facts," he urged, requesting the house to await Khaira's explanation.
Protests by Women MLAs
Four women MLAs from the ruling AAP — Amandeep Kaur Arora, Saravjit Kaur Manuke, Inderjit Kaur Mann, and Jivanjot Kaur — staged a protest in the well of the House, raising slogans and demanding an immediate apology from Khaira. Their demonstration highlighted the emotional intensity of the debate, with AAP members accusing the Congress of insulting women through Khaira's comments.
The resolution was formally moved by Manuke and endorsed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. It explicitly stated: "A post has been put on social media by the current member of the vidhan sabha, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, stating: ‘How will women who celebrate the 1,000 rupees monthly stipend give birth to warriors (surmay)?' This post is a direct insult to women. Furthermore, since this decision [the welfare scheme] was taken by this sacred house, this is also an insult to this sacred house. This house strongly condemns insult directed at women, and this sacred house, by Sukhpal Singh Khaira."
Cross-Party Reactions and Counter-Allegations
Congress MLAs Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Aruna Chaudhary joined their leader in urging the government to wait for Khaira's clarification. However, AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann countered that the remark was clear and required no further explanation, while Amandeep Kaur Arora labeled it shameful for Congress members to defend Khaira.
Earlier in the session, the issue was raised during question hour by Finance Minister Cheema, prompting immediate protests from AAP MLAs and forcing Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to adjourn the house for half an hour. Cheema read out Khaira's Facebook post, accusing the Congress of insulting women and demanding an apology from its MLAs.
Speaker Sandhwan later conducted a voice vote on the resolution. When initially put to vote, most Congress MLAs remained silent, leading Minister Aman Arora to demand that the party clearly state its position. The speaker then conducted the vote twice more, ruling that continued silence would be treated as opposition to the motion before declaring it adopted.
Debate Over Wording and Broader Accusations
During the debate, Bajwa argued that Khaira had not specifically referred to dalit women. Arora countered that the comment insulted all women in the state, prompting the speaker to announce that the wording of the resolution would be amended accordingly to reflect this broader condemnation.
The session also saw cross-party accusations, with SAD MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia receiving support from Congress legislators as she criticized the ruling AAP over its own remarks about women. She objected to AAP MLAs laughing while she spoke and questioned whether the party would condemn the chief minister's "improper" references to women in past speeches. Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary further accused the government of disrespecting women, citing incidents where protesting teachers were allegedly manhandled. In response, AAP women MLAs, including Inderjit Kaur Mann, Amandeep Kaur, and Jivanjot Kaur, stood up to counter Majithia's criticism.
Women's Commission Intervention
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Punjab State Commission for Women took suo motu notice of Khaira's allegedly derogatory post. The commission summoned both Khaira and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on March 12 to address the matter, underscoring the institutional response to the controversy.
The assembly's resolution and the ensuing debate have intensified political tensions in Punjab, with the AAP government's welfare scheme for women becoming a focal point of contention. As Khaira prepares to present his clarification, the episode highlights ongoing challenges in political discourse and gender sensitivity in the state's legislative affairs.
