Chandigarh: The Punjab assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution condemning Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira over his allegedly “anti-poor” social media remarks on women in connection with the AAP govt’s Rs 1,000 monthly stipend announced in the 2026–27 budget, after a stormy debate that forced three voice votes amid resistance from Congress members.Leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa intervened on behalf of the Congress, expressing regret and offering an apology for Khaira’s remarks amid sharp criticism from treasury benches. Bajwa informed the House that he had spoken to Khaira over the phone and said the MLA, who was out of town, would appear in the house on Wednesday to clarify his position.“Khaira said he will come to the house tomorrow and give his clarification; you may then take a decision,” Bajwa said, adding that the MLA had only quoted a YouTuber and had not targeted any specific community. “Let’s not twist facts,” he said, urging the house to wait for Khaira’s explanation.Four women MLAs of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — Amandeep Kaur Arora, Saravjit Kaur Manuke, Inderjit Kaur Mann and Jivanjot Kaur — protested in the well of the House, raising slogans and demanding an apology from Khaira.The resolution was moved by Manuke and endorsed by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema. It read: “A post has been put on social media by the current member of the vidhan sabha, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, stating: ‘How will women who celebrate the 1,000 rupees monthly stipend give birth to warriors (surmay)?’ This post is a direct insult to women. Furthermore, since this decision [the welfare scheme] was taken by this sacred house, this is also an insult to this sacred house. This house strongly condemns insult directed at women, and this sacred house, by Sukhpal Singh Khaira.”Congress MLAs Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Aruna Chaudhary, too, urged the govt to wait for Khaira. However, Inderjit Kaur Mann said the remark was clear and did not require any clarification, while Amandeep Kaur said it was shameful for Congress members to defend Khaira.Earlier, the issue was raised during question hour by Cheema, prompting protests from AAP MLAs and forcing the speaker to adjourn the house for half an hour.Reading out Khaira’s Facebook post, Cheema accused the Congress of insulting women and asked its MLAs whether they would apologise for the remarks.Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan later conducted a voice vote on the resolution. When the motion was first put to vote, most Congress MLAs remained silent, prompting minister Aman Arora to demand that the party clearly state its position. The speaker then conducted the vote twice more, ruling that continued silence would be treated as opposition to the motion before declaring it adopted.During the debate, Bajwa argued that Khaira had not specifically referred to dalit women. Arora countered that the comment insulted all women in the state, prompting the dpeaker to announce that the wording of the resolution would be amended accordingly.Ganieve tears into AAP SAD MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia received support from Congress legislators as she criticised the ruling party over its own remarks about women. She objected to AAP MLAs laughing while she spoke and questioned whether the party would condemn the chief minister’s “improper” references to women in speeches. Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary also accused the government of disrespecting women, citing incidents where protesting teachers were allegedly manhandled. AAP women MLAs, including Inderjit Kaur Mann, Amandeep Kaur and Jivanjot Kaur, stood up to counter Majithia’s criticism.Women’s panel notice The Punjab State Commission for Women took suo motu notice of Khaira’s allegedly derogatory post and summoned both him and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on March 12.
