Punjab Budget session: House passes censure motion against Sukhpal Singh Khaira over remarks on women
Saravjit Kaur Manuke alleged that Khaira had used derogatory language against women in his post and demanded that the Congress leader issue a public apology
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed a censure motion against Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira following a stormy debate during the ongoing Budget session. The motion was brought by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after a controversial social media remark by Sukhpal Singh Khaira related to the Punjab Government’s scheme of providing Rs 1,000 to women.
The motion was moved by AAP MLA Saravjit Kaur Manuke and supported by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Saravjit Kaur Manuke alleged that Khaira had used derogatory language against women in his post and demanded that the Congress leader issue a public apology.
The issue triggered heated exchanges inside the House. Before the motion was formally taken up, AAP legislators, including Inderjit Kaur, Jeevan Jyot Kaur and minister Aman Arora, gathered near the Speaker’s Chair and raised slogans against Khaira.
Following the debate on the motion, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan conducted a voice vote. He gave Congress MLAs three opportunities to register their response during the voting process. However, the Congress members remained silent. The Speaker then clarified that their silence would be treated as opposition to the motion, after which the censure motion was declared passed.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Khaira’s remarks has also reached the Punjab State Women Commission. The commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the issue and issued a notice to Sukhpal Singh Khaira, directing him to appear before it and present his explanation regarding the alleged remarks.