Chandigarh, March 11: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has strongly condemned Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira for using highly derogatory language on social media and within the legislative context. Addressing the matter on Wednesday, the Finance Minister demanded an immediate and unconditional public apology from the Bholath legislator, asserting that the remarks directed at women and the labor community are entirely unacceptable in a democratic society.
The Finance Minister stated that during a recent interaction, Khaira used offensive comments toward women and subsequently launched a personal attack by referring to him as a ‘bandua mazdoor’ when he raised an objection. Cheema maintained that such language is unbecoming of an elected representative and insults the dignity of the hardworking people of Punjab. He declared that if a prompt apology is not issued, he has appealed to the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to take strict disciplinary action, including the potential cancellation of the MLA’s membership.
Minister Cheema also asserted that the Congress party must take responsibility for the conduct of its member and tender an official apology. He reminded the House that many representatives come from humble, working-class backgrounds and that labeling someone with such terms is an affront to their lineage. The Minister affirmed his pride in the Constitution of India, which empowers individuals from modest backgrounds to serve in high offices, and expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for the opportunity to serve the state.
