Punjab: Privileges Committee Asked to Examine Khaira’s Remarks

Punjab: The troubles for Sukhpal Singh Khaira, the Congress MLA from Bholath, have further intensified. On Friday, the Punjab Legislative Assembly directed a special Privileges Committee to investigate the remarks made by Khaira against female beneficiaries, as well as the incident in which he referred to Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema as a “bonded laborer” within the House. These resolutions were moved by Cheema and AAP MLA Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina. They stated that this issue pertains to derogatory statements made by the MLA and his unparliamentary conduct—actions which the House deemed a direct insult to its elected members, the Constitution, and the public.
Explaining the background of the resolution, Cheema said, “This demand for disciplinary action stems from a social media post made by MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on March 10. In these public statements, he referred to the Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, and AAP MLAs as ‘bonded laborers’.” Although Khaira was not present in the House, Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa accused Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan of adopting a biased attitude. Bajwa pointed out that the Speaker had refused to accept a censure motion against “objectionable” remarks made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during Women’s Day events in Sangrur.