Chandigarh, March 10: The Punjab State Women’s Commission has initiated action against Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira following his comments regarding the state’s financial assistance scheme for women. The commission took suo motu notice of a social media post in which the Bholath legislator questioned the dignity of women celebrating the receipt of Rs 1,000 monthly aid under a new government initiative.
According to the official notice, Khaira and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring have been directed to appear before the commission on March 12 at 11:30 a.m. The commission stated that the remarks appeared to have been made with the abetment of the state party president. Furthermore, the panel has requested the Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to assign a Superintendent of Police-rank officer to investigate the matter and submit a formal report.
The controversy stems from a video showing women celebrating the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) announcement of financial aid. In response to the footage, Khaira reportedly questioned how women “made to perform Giddha for just Rs 1,000” could be expected to raise brave sons. The commission maintained that such language targets the dignity of women beneficiaries.
The issue has already caused significant disruption in the ongoing Punjab Assembly session. Female legislators from the treasury benches led the criticism against the MLA, asserting that the language used was derogatory. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema declared that the Congress party has shown a recurring pattern of being “anti-women and anti-Dalit,” maintaining that their leaders frequently employ disrespectful terminology.
