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Forcible eviction: AAP, SAD-BJP seek Punjab Assembly Speaker’s apology

A day after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members were forcibly evicted from the Punjab Assembly, all members of the Opposition,…

Forcible eviction: AAP, SAD-BJP seek Punjab Assembly Speaker’s apology

Aam Aadmi Party senior leaders protesting outside the Vidhan Sabha building on Friday (Photo: Pardeep Saini)

A day after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members were forcibly evicted from the Punjab Assembly, all members of the Opposition, including Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janta Party (SAD-BJP), on Friday staged a walk out from the House to protest against treatment meted out to legislators by the security staff of the Assembly.

Staging separate protests, members of the AAP and SAD- BJP raised slogans, alleging dictatorial behaviour of Speaker Rana KP Singh leading to “denigration of Sikh pride” when turbans of some MLAs had come off during eviction.

As soon as the Question Hour began, SAD-BJP and AAP legislators rose to seek a debate on the Thursdayincident. Leader of Opposition HS Phoolka and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal said it was “denigration of Sikh principles”. SAD members carried placards in their hands and also wore black badges on their clothes to mark their protest.

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Speaker Rana KP Singh asked the opposition to stop raising slogans and assured them that he would take a decision on their demand after the Question Hour. After raising slogans, AAP and SAD-BJP members then trooped out of the house.

Sukhbir later told reporters that the Speaker should tender an apology for yesterday's incident. “Tossing of turbans is an insult to Sikh symbol and article of faith. The Speaker should apologise to members of the House and people of Punjab,” he said.

He also demanded an apology from Chief Minister Amarinder Singh as he was the leader of the House. Sukhbir said SAD members will meet Governor VP Singh Badnore, seeking dismissal of the government.
In a resolution passed outside the Assembly, AAP called the action taken by Speaker as unlawful, unethical and against the rules of Assembly.

Leader of Opposition and AAP leader HS Phoolka said the Speaker did not suspend any AAP legislators by name. "As per the rule, MLA can be suspended by name only. But, it was not done . There was no notice on the entry gate of the Assembly," he said, referring to the forcible eviction of AAP members on Thursday.

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