Chandigarh, March 9: The Punjab Legislative Assembly observed a period of silence on Friday to honor the memory of over 160 school girls killed during recent military strikes in Iran. The House also paid homage to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in a targeted strike on February 28.
The tribute took place at the start of the Assembly’s budget session, making Punjab the first state in India to officially offer condolences within a legislative chamber for the casualties of the ongoing West Asian conflict. The motion was initiated by AAP MLA Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, who described the deaths of the children at Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School as a “humanitarian tragedy.”
“An inhuman incident happened in Iran in which around 165 girls were killed while studying,” Dr. Sukhi affirmed during the session. He maintained that the loss of life, including doctors and patients in hospitals, necessitated a formal expression of grief from the House.
Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan accepted the request and urged members to stand in silence as a mark of respect for the departed souls. The gesture has gained significant attention on social media, with many observers noting the unique act of international solidarity from the state legislature.
Political analysts stated that the Assembly’s decision reflects a historical tendency in Punjab to voice concerns over international humanitarian issues. While the session also paid tribute to several domestic figures and freedom fighters, the inclusion of the Iranian casualties remained the most discussed moment of the opening day.
