Khalra case, terrorism era dominate proceedings of Punjab Vidhan Sabha

The emotive Sikh issues and Punjab’s turbulent past during terrorism dominated Zero Hour on the opening day of the monsoon session of the 16th Vidhan Sabha on Monday.

The session unfolded amid a standoff between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhism. Heated exchanges broke out over the AAP government’s silence on the killers of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, while treasury benches accused previous Congress and Akali-BJP governments of ignoring atrocities committed against both Hindu and Sikh communities in the 1980s and 1990s.

The tone was set early when SAD MLA Ganeive Kaur Majithia stayed away after seeking permission from the Akal Takht Jathedar, who had directed Sikh MLAs against CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. BSP MLA Nachchatar Pal attended wearing a cape with slogans demanding action against police officers accused of excesses in the past and highlighting sanitation and MGNREGA workers’ protests.

Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa sought guidance from Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on the Akal Takht’s directives. The Speaker responded that “the Guru is supreme in Sikhism, while the Akal Takht is the pride of Sikhism. But the sangat has been given the most prominence. We are going by the decision of the sangat”.

Rebel SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, now with Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, raised the issue of Khalra’s killers. He recalled Punjab’s “dark days” of fake encounters, disappeared youth and unidentified bodies, accusing successive governments of failing to deliver justice. He asked about the status of those convicted in Khalra’s murder case, including former DSP Jaspal Singh and ex-Sub-Inspectors Satnam Singh and Jasbir Singh.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema countered that the excesses occurred during the Congress regime and accused the Akali Dal of failing to act while in power.

AAP MLAs Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Fauja Singh Sarari also attacked the Akali leadership, citing appointments of controversial police officers and demanding review of false criminal cases that still hinder citizens’ clearances.

Separately, AAP MLA Amritpal Singh Sukhanand raised concerns over foodgrain stocks lying in Punjab warehouses, alleging the Centre was not lifting grain. He asked the state to take up the matter with stakeholders.