‘Deshdrohi, Daku’: Sidhu-Majithia Hurl Barbs in Punjab Assembly
“We want Sidhu to be thrown out of the Cabinet for his utterances,” said Bikram Singh Majithia.
Video Producer: Debayan Dutta
Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
The Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal sought dismissal of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his "utterances" in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack even as Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia and the cricketer-turned-politician exchanged barbs in the well of the Assembly on Monday, 18 February.
Sidhu and Majithia could be seen gesturing angrily at each other and calling each other names like "chor" (thief), "daku" (dacoit), "deshdrohi", "badmash" (miscreant) and "chitta" (white powder drug) trader, forcing Speaker Rana KP Singh to adjourn the session amid Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal's speech.
Before the start of the Punjab Budget session, Akali leaders led by Majithia burnt photographs of Sidhu including those in which he is seen hugging the Pakistan Army chief, outside the House.
The altercation escalated and marshals had to be called in to intervene and restore order in the Assembly, reported News18.
“Punjab chief minister passes a resolution condemning Pulwama attack but a man (Navjot Singh Sidhu) in the Cabinet praises Pakistan. We wanted to move a resolution against it in the Assembly today. But, we were not allowed, if we can't speak in the Assembly, where do we speak,” BS Majithia, Shiromani Akali Dal leader said, reported ANI.
Bringing up Sidhu’s controversial hug with Pakistan Army General Bajwa, Majithia has also sought a clear stand from Congress and Sidhu on the Pulwama terror attack.
‘No Compromise With Terrorism, Act Against Those Directly Responsible’
Sidhu, minutes after the furore in Punjab Assembly, said that the men responsible for the ‘heinous’ attack should be held and that he demands the punishment for the guilty.
“There can be no understanding with terrorism and those who propagate terrorism cannot be spared. The warfare cannot be waged against an entire Pakistan. I am firm on my stand. Terrorism will not be tolerated. People who are responsible should be punished harshly that it acts as a deterrence for generations to come,” the senior Congress leader said.
Sidhu also spoke about Kandahar and blamed the government which released the men held during the Kandahar hijacking in 1999.
“I want to ask who released those involved in 1999 Kandahar incident? Whose responsibility is it? Our fight is against them. Why should a soldier die? Why can't there be a permanent solution?,” Sidhu asked.
“My fight is with those who are directly responsible for terrorism, and those who provide safe haven to terrorists and not with a child or a pregnant woman or an old man of another country,” adding that those directly responsible for terror activities should be held.
Calling for the extradition of terrorists, Sidhu said that terrorism does not have a caste or religion.
‘Throw Sidhu Out of Assembly’
Sidhu visited Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Pakistan PM Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician, on 18 August last year.
"Before everything else, we want to know the clear stand of the Congress and the Punjab government. Do they condemn Pakistan Army Chief and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan," Majithia asked while speaking to reporters outside the House.
After passing a unanimous resolution in the House for condemning the Pulwama terror attack, Sidhu was still saying, "You cannot blame Pakistan, you cannot blame individual," Majithia remarked.
"We want Sidhu to be thrown out of the Cabinet for his utterances," said former Akali minister.
As the Question Hour commenced, SAD-BJP MLAs stood up and raised slogans against Sidhu.
SAD-BJP legislators, who were wearing black badges, also tried to disrupt Sidhu’s reply by shouting slogans against him.
Sidhu and Majithia were even involved in a verbal duel even as the Speaker asked them not to disrupt the Question Hour.
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)