Delhi Speaker Gupta slams Punjab Government’s 'interference' at conference

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday strongly disapproved of what he termed as the Punjab government’s unwarranted intervention in a matter that was under the consideration of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, alluding to the controversy triggered by remarks made by AAP leader Atishi in the House.

Addressing the three-day 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) in Lucknow, Gupta expressed concern over attempts by another state to shield a member of the Delhi Assembly by initiating an unauthorised probe into remarks related to Sikh Gurus. Without naming the Punjab government or Delhi’s Leader of the Opposition Atishi, the Speaker said such actions amounted to unacceptable interference in the functioning of a legislature.

Gupta stated that the incident in question, which occurred during the Delhi Assembly proceedings on January 6, was duly taken cognisance of by the House and referred to the Privileges Committee. He noted that the matter was examined strictly in accordance with established parliamentary procedure, with detailed deliberations involving both the ruling side and the Opposition.

Emphasising legislative propriety, Gupta said that once a matter is discussed, decided upon by the House, and implemented through the Speaker, it attains finality and should not be subjected to external intervention.

Separately, in his address at the conference, Gupta underlined the importance of legislative accountability, cautioning that declining sittings weaken democratic oversight. He also highlighted the role of digital platforms such as the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) and supported the National Legislative Index as tools to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and public trust in legislatures.