Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
The third day of the Punjab Assembly’s Monsoon Session witnessed heated scenes as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s proposed new sacrilege law triggered a stormy debate in the House.
Shiromani Akali Dal MLA from Majitha, Ganieve Kaur Majithia, raised the issue during Zero Hour and launched a sharp attack on the government. She questioned why no amendments were being made to the proposed law in line with the views expressed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Majithia also objected to remarks allegedly suggesting that the sangat (congregation) was being placed above the Guru, asking whether the government intended to "challenge the Guru".
Her comments prompted interventions from the Speaker, a cabinet minister, and another MLA. Responding strongly, the Speaker accused members of Majithia’s own family of having challenged the authority of the Akal Takht in the past. He referred to a person who had received the Fakhr-e-Qaum award but allegedly did not consider it necessary to appear before the Akal Takht despite being summoned by the Jathedar.
The Speaker further questioned Majithia’s understanding of Panthic traditions, intensifying the confrontation in the House.
Jobs issue sparks fresh political clash
Session later shifted focus to employment, leading to a sharp exchange between Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh and AAP minister Aman Arora.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged that the government had been repeatedly putting up boards claiming large-scale recruitment and demanded that it issue a white paper on jobs. He asked the government to disclose:
which posts had been filled,
who had been selected,
and the addresses and details of the selected candidates.
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema rejected the demand, saying the recruitment itself was proof of transparency. He argued that beneficiaries could be contacted through video calls and accused previous Congress governments of granting jobs through political influence.
Cheema cited examples of relatives of prominent leaders allegedly receiving government posts during earlier administrations, including appointments made during the Congress era.
Harjot Bains clarifies remarks after trolling
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, who had faced criticism over remarks made a day earlier, issued a clarification in the Assembly.
He said he had never addressed anyone as "putt" (son) or "beta" with any wrong intention, adding that as an education minister he was accustomed to using such expressions affectionately. Bains also remarked that coming from a modest background should not prevent anyone from speaking openly.
Rana Gurjeet attacks government’s employment record
Congress MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh claimed that transparency in recruitment had improved when the Congress came to power in 2002, alleging that jobs had been "sold" before that period.
He criticized the AAP government for lacking fresh ideas to create employment and suggested that private bouncers and security personnel should be given formal status, training, and regulation, arguing that such measures could also help reduce crime.
In response, Aman Arora reminded the House of the Congress slogan during the 2017 Assembly elections — "Captain ne saugandh chakki, har ghar naukri pakki" — and accused the previous government of failing to deliver on its promise of jobs for every household.
AAP MLA Manuke also intervened, claiming that a woman from Rana Gurjeet Singh’s village had received a government job and even offered to verify the claim through a video call during the debate.
House adjourned till Thursday
Amid repeated interruptions, counter-allegations, and political sparring over the sacrilege bill, jobs, and ministerial conduct, the Assembly proceedings remained turbulent throughout the day.
The House was eventually adjourned till 10 a.m. on Thursday.
