Khaira gagged till apology; AAP MLAs storm well, raise slogans; Bajwa leads Congress counter

Chandigarh: High-voltage pandemonium gripped the Punjab assembly on Wednesday as the standoff over Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira's social media remarks intensified between the treasury and opposition benches. With Khaira present in the house, proceedings descended into a ruckus after speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan refused to allow him to address the house unless he first tendered an apology.Tempers ran high during Zero Hour as finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched a fierce attack on Khaira. The exchange soon turned personal when the "silver spoon" taunt resurfaced, triggering a confrontation. Khaira rose to respond, but his microphone was switched off. Cheema gestured pointedly towards Khaira as several AAP MLAs stood behind the minister in a show of support.Holding up a copy of the Constitution, Cheema described Khaira's remarks—questioning whether women receiving the ₹1,000 monthly stipend could give birth to "warriors"—as a "disgrace to the motherhood of Punjab". The confrontation escalated when Cheema objected to Khaira calling him a "bandua mazdoor" (bonded labourer) in a social media post. Cheema argued that such "feudal" insults directed at a minister from a humble background were an affront to the dignity of labour.Cheema demanded an unconditional apology from Khaira, saying that if he failed to do so, his assembly membership should be terminated. He also referred to social media reactions targeting Khaira and thanked leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other Congress MLAs for supporting the condemnation resolution against Khaira during Tuesday's proceedings.The situation turned chaotic as AAP women MLAs, including Saravjit Kaur Manuke and Inderjit Kaur Mann, stormed the well of the house, raising slogans against Khaira and saying he had "no moral right" to participate in proceedings until he clarified his remarks. Sandhwan took a firm stand, declaring: "I will not allow Sukhpal Khaira to speak in this assembly until he tenders an apology for his social media post about women."Bajwa's procedural defence Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa mounted a counter-offensive, arguing that parliamentary norms did not permit the house to take official cognisance of remarks made outside the house. He said the condemnation resolution had been passed without giving Khaira an opportunity to present his side.Bajwa then attempted to move a resolution condemning chief minister Bhagwant Mann for remarks made on International Women's Day, saying it was based on the same principle invoked against Khaira. However, the speaker refused to admit the motion."You have come up with a new point to shield a member who posted a disrespectful remark about women from his verified Facebook page," Sandhwan said. "The member should tender an apology. You cannot dodge the matter."Cabinet minister Aman Arora said it made no difference whether the remark was made inside or outside the house. The debate soon dissolved into a shouting match as AAP women MLAs again rushed towards the well, raising slogans. Amid the unruly scenes, the house was adjourned for 20 minutes.Sloganeering and walkout When proceedings resumed, Bajwa told the house he had met the speaker during the adjournment and had expected that Khaira would be allowed to present his clarification. However, Sandhwan denied giving any such assurance, reiterating that Khaira could speak only after apologising."First an apology and then he can speak. We already know what he has said on social media," the speaker said.The house was again plunged into chaos as AAP MLAs shouted slogans against the opposition. When it became clear that the speaker would not allow Khaira to speak without an apology, the entire Congress legislature party gathered briefly in the well of the house before staging a walkout in protest.Objection to Khaira's posture AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann also objected to Khaira sitting cross-legged during the proceedings. "Take a picture of how he is sitting with arrogance," she said. Taking note of the remark, the speaker instructed Khaira to sit properly and not sit cross-legged.