Chandigarh, March 11: Pandemonium reigned in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday, leading to a half-hour suspension of proceedings after Finance Minister Harpal Cheema accused Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira of insulting women.
The Speaker ordered the adjournment when it became clear that the intense verbal sparring between the treasury and opposition benches would not subside.
The conflict centered on statements Khaira allegedly made regarding women beneficiaries and his use of the phrase “bonded labourers” to describe certain groups.
Minister Cheema noted that these remarks were deeply offensive and demanded that the Congress leadership take responsibility for the conduct of their member.
Cheema stated that the comments represented a lack of respect for the public and insisted that the Assembly should no longer accommodate the legislator.
He asserted that the House must uphold its standards by seeking Khaira’s disqualification from his post.
The Minister maintained that the derogatory references were a direct hit to the honor of the women of Punjab.
In a counter-offensive, Congress members moved a condemnation resolution against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, which sparked further allegations from AAP MLAs.
The ruling party maintained that the Congress was actively defending Khaira’s position rather than addressing the grievances raised. The resulting noise and disruption made it impossible for the scheduled business of the Zero Hour to continue.
