CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution with a significant majority to refer a breach of privilege case against Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira to the Privileges Committee. The resolution, introduced by Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, addresses recent derogatory statements and alleged unparliamentary conduct by the legislator, which the House termed a direct insult to its elected members, the Constitution and the public. The call for disciplinary action stems from social media posts made by Khaira on March 10, 2026, in which he referred to the Speaker, Cabinet Ministers and Aam Aadmi Party MLAs as “bonded labourers.”
Presenting the resolution in the House, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said such language undermines the dignity of constitutionally elected representatives and belittles the mandate given by the people. The matter intensified on March 11 when Sukhpal Singh Khaira was given an opportunity on the floor of the House to clarify his remarks and issue an apology, but he refused to retract his words. The resolution also condemned highly objectionable physical gestures allegedly made by Khaira while leaving the House during an opposition walkout the same day.
Describing the conduct as unbecoming of a legislative assembly, Cheema said the gestures lacked parliamentary decorum and were witnessed by fellow Congress MLAs present at the time. He added that some legislators might be compromising the oath taken to the Constitution by using provocative language and theatrics to gain social media attention. Urging the House to safeguard its dignity, Cheema appealed for the matter to be entrusted to the Privileges Committee for a comprehensive investigation.
