CHANDIGARH: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday strongly condemned the highly offensive and derogatory remarks made by Congress MLA from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, against the women of Punjab. Speaking during proceedings in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and later addressing the media outside the Assembly, Harpal Singh Cheema demanded that the Congress High Command immediately expel Sukhpal Singh Khaira from the party for his reprehensible conduct and deeply insulting comments directed at the mothers and daughters of Punjab.
The condemnation came after Sukhpal Singh Khaira questioned how women celebrating the announcement of ₹1000 under the Mawan Dhian Satkar scheme could give birth to the brave. Responding to the remark, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “It is deeply shameful that a politician who has been elected multiple times from a state where Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached ‘So Kyon Manda Aakhiye Jit Jammeh Rajan’ (Why call her bad, from whom kings are born), can so brazenly insult the mothers and daughters of our state.”
The Punjab Minister stated that such a regressive statement is shocking and unacceptable in Punjab, a land that has always upheld the dignity and respect of women. “For a seasoned politician to make such a statement against women reflects a deeply regressive mindset and is an insult to the values that our society stands for,” he said.
Addressing the media outside the Assembly, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Punjab Congress leadership has completely lost control over its language and political intellect. “The situation in the Congress has deteriorated to such an extent that even Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have previously had to warn the state leadership to mind their conduct,” he said.
Highlighting the impact of the Punjab Government’s pro-women initiatives, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema referred to the recent Budget discussion and the Mawan Dhian Satkar scheme. “This scheme is a lifeline for women who were previously forced to depend on their fathers, brothers, or husbands for even their most minor needs,” he said.
He added that his Cabinet colleague Dr Baljit Kaur had clearly explained during the Budget discussion how the financial assistance of ₹1000 for general category women and ₹1500 for Scheduled Caste category women will strengthen their financial independence and dignity.
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the outburst by the Congress MLA reflects sheer political frustration. “The opposition is unable to digest the fact that the AAP Government has successfully fulfilled its five major guarantees within just four years of governance,” he said.
During the discussion on the bill brought in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha specifically to condemn the insult directed at women, Harpal Singh Cheema urged all members of the House to stand united against the irresponsible and misogynistic attitude displayed by Sukhpal Singh Khaira. “The House must send a strong message that disrespect towards the women of Punjab will never be tolerated,” said Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
