Chandigarh, March 10 – The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira over his derogatory comments about women participating in the "Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojana," under which the state government will provide Rs 1,000 per month to eligible beneficiaries.
In response to the uproar in the House, Khaira stated that the women dancing to the announcement of the scheme are a “scripted performance arranged by the AAP, which is known for its theatrics.” He also asserted that he stands by what he said on social media, as the initiative is a “vote-seeking tactic.”
Four women MLAs from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Amandeep Kaur Arora and Saravjit Kaur Manuke, protested in the House, demanding an apology from Khaira.
They said the alleged comment was made on social media about women beneficiaries who are receiving Rs 1,000 per month under the state government scheme, which was announced on Sunday in the budget.
The Punjab State Women's Commission also took notice of Khaira's remark and asked him to appear in its office on March 12.
The issue was raised during the Zero Hour of the ongoing Budget session by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa expressed regret over Khaira's post on Facebook.
The House was adjourned for half an hour when AAP MLAs protested against the comments. After the proceedings resumed, Manuke demanded that Khaira should not be allowed to sit in the House until he tenders an apology.
She moved a condemnation motion against Khaira, which was seconded by the finance minister.
The motion was moved despite the Congress MLAs' urging that Khaira be allowed to give his clarification when he comes to the assembly on Wednesday. Khaira was not present in the House on Tuesday.
Khaira, in a post on X, said that he is aware that the AAP created ruckus in the Vidhan Sabha over his post, "where a YouTuber questioned the morality of @AAPPunjab volunteer women dancing on the announcement of Rs 1,000 recently."
While posting a video of some women dancing over the announcement, Khaira said these women have probably forgotten the "brutality inflicted upon Punjabis, farmers, employees, including women, and seem very happy over this meagre amount of money, which is less than minimum hourly wages in developed countries."
"According to me, this was a scripted dance arranged by @AamAadmiParty, which is known for its theatrics and is in no manner an organic reaction by the brave womenfolk of Punjab,” he said in the post.
Khaira said that women in Punjab idolise the bravery and courage shown by Mai Bhago (Mata Bhag Kaur) when she valiantly fought the Mughals in the battle of Mukatsar in 1705.
He asserted that he stands by what he said or shared on social media because this Rs 1,000 is nothing but a "vote-seeking stunt."
The Congress MLA said that had the AAP government been genuinely serious about implementing its promise, it should have done it in the first budget and not the last.
Earlier in the House, when Cheema criticised Khaira for his remarks, Congress MLA Partap Bajwa said, "We have already said sorry."
The finance minister urged all members of the House to stand united against the "irresponsible and misogynistic attitude" displayed by Khaira.
"The House must send a strong message that disrespect towards the women of Punjab will never be tolerated," Cheema said. He even dared Congress MLAs to clearly state whether they supported Khaira's comment.
Congress MLA Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said Khaira should be allowed to explain regarding his comments before passing any resolution against him. AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann rejected the suggestion and demanded that the condemnation resolution be passed.
Participating in the discussion on the resolution, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said such objectionable comments reflect a feudal mindset. He said that Khaira, who is the Congress legislator from the Bholath seat, stood by his remarks.
When the speaker asked Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Ganieve Kaur Majithia to participate in the debate, she alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also made derogatory remarks about women.
Majithia said the AAP women MLAs and other members who claim to stand for women's dignity and respect should first clarify whether they will condemn the language used by the chief minister in his speeches.
She also raised the issue of the recent protests by Anganwadi workers and questioned the state government over the treatment meted out to the workers during their agitation.
Manjithia asked whether the manner in which the workers were handled could be described as respect for women.
During the proceedings, when the speaker allowed Majithia to speak, some members sitting on the treasury benches allegedly began laughing. Objecting to this, she said there was no reason for the AAP MLAs to begin laughing if the speaker had allowed her to speak.
She questioned whether this was the way women were respected inside the assembly.
Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary said Khaira should be given a chance to explain his position, and targeted the AAP government for using force against protesting teachers.
The Speaker conducted the voice voting for passing the resolution thrice after Cabinet Minister Aman Arora pressed for getting a response from the Congress MLAs over the resolution.