Personal digs, barbs during debate on anti-superstition law

MINISTER RANA GURMEET INTERVENES SAYING NAMING WIVES OF FELLOW MEMBERS IN THE DEBATE NOT IN GOOD TASTE

CHANDIGARH: Personal attacks and barbs were witnessed during the debate on proposed anti-superstition law, in the House on Thursday.

Congress legislator Kuljit Nagra alleged that Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA NK Sharma practises superstition and visits astrologers.

Sharma retorted saying it was Nagra’s wife who visits the astrologers.

Sports minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi intervened with a rebuke to NK Sharma, saying naming wives of fellow members in the debate was not in good taste.

Members of treasury and opposition benches accused one another of indulging in superstition, and opting for gemstones to turn around their fortunes. SAD’s Gurpartap Wadala said wearing a gemstone was a matter of personal faith and no one should point that out.

The opposition named Navjot Singh Sidhu and Charanjit Singh Channi, accusing them of superstition, citing gemstones and changing direction of entry to their official bungalows.

Channi alleged Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal also wears gemstone.

Som Parkash of the BJP, who proposed the law also had to face a tough time when treasury benches said he himself practised superstition.

Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema demanded limiting time for the debate, to which speaker said rules don’t permit to limit time for debate on a private bill.

The chaos continued for nearly two hours till the House was adjourned for the day.