Punjab Finance Minister Condemns Khaira’s Remarks, Urges Congress High Command to Act
Harpal Cheema condemns Khaira's insulting remarks against women, urges Congress to expel legislator.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on Tuesday strongly condemned “derogatory” remarks made by Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira, calling them deeply insulting to women and demanding disciplinary action, including his expulsion from the party.
Cheema spoke during the Vidhan Sabha proceedings and later addressed the media, criticizing Khaira for questioning how women celebrating the government’s Mawan Dhian Satkar scheme—which provides financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to general category women and Rs 1,500 to Scheduled Caste women—could “give birth to the brave.”
“It is deeply shameful that a politician elected multiple times from a state where Guru Nanak Dev preached ‘So Kyon Manda Aakhiye Jit Jammeh Rajan’ (Why call her bad, from whom kings are born) can so brazenly insult the mothers and daughters of our state,” Cheema said, describing the statement as regressive and unacceptable in Punjab, a state that has historically upheld women’s dignity.
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Cheema also criticized the state Congress leadership for failing to manage the conduct of its members. “The situation in the Congress has deteriorated to such an extent that even Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have had to warn the state leadership to mind their conduct,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s pro-women initiatives, Cheema referred to the Mawan Dhian Satkar scheme and the Budget discussion. He noted that the scheme strengthens women’s financial independence, enabling them to meet personal needs without relying on fathers, brothers, or husbands. He also praised Cabinet colleague Baljit Kaur for explaining the scheme’s benefits during the Budget debate.
Cheema’s remarks underscore growing political tensions in Punjab, with gender-sensitive policies becoming a focal point of debate and criticism within party ranks.
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