Punjab Oppn members don black robes to stage protest

Continuing to extend support to AAP MLAs against the disrespect to Sikh symbols in the Punjab Assembly, SAD-BJP members wore black robes on the last day of the Budget session to mark their protest.

The Opposition, including AAP and SAD-BJP, staged a walkout of the Assembly as soon as the Question Hour began. Leader of the Opposition HS Phoolka demanded that the House debate on the alleged mistreatment meted out to the MLAs, during which the turbans of two of the MLAs came off, but the Speaker requested him to speak after the Question Hour. The MLAs raised slogans and trooped into the well of the House, after which they staged a walkout.

Led by SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, the MLAs of both BJP and SAD who wore black robes and carried placards condemning the action also raised slogans against the government and staged a walkout. "We demand an apology from the Chief Minister for denigrating the Sikh symbols inside the House. Never before in the history of the Vidhan Sabha has the Opposition been treated so ruthlessly," said Badal, who met Governor VP Badnore and sought his intervention in the matter.

AAP MLAs registered their protest by holding a mock assembly outside the premises of the Vidhan Sabha. "We had submitted a motion to pass resolution seeking pardon for insult to the turban and to our women MLAs and Dalits, but this was not allowed by the Speaker," said Phoolka, alleging that the Speaker was being partial.