Ruckus over Sidhu’s ‘casteist’ remark against SAD’s Tinu
CHANDIGARH: Tourism and local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu came under the opposition attack on Wednesday for allegedly making casteist remark against Akali Dal’s Adampur MLA Pawan Kumar Tinu, leading to ruckus in the House.
Demanding action against the minister, Akali MLAs submitted a complaint to the speaker. “If the speaker fails to act against Sidhu, I will move a privilege motion for violating maryada (sanctity) of the Vidhan Sabha,” said Tinu, while talking to reporters.
“I am pained and disturbed by the derogatory language used by the minister just because I am a Dalit. Does my being a Dalit mean that I am not entitled to the respect other members are given?” Tinu said in his complaint.
Things turned ugly when Tinu posed a question to Sidhu on the working of sewage treatment plant (STP) in Adampur. He also accused the minister of misleading the House about the functioning STPs and complained to the speaker that the minister was not maintaining the decorum of the House while replying to questions.
To this Sidhu attacked the previous government, accusing it of not making functional a single sewage treatment plant out of 64 in the state during its 10-year rule. The “nonchalant” response sparked off an argument between the two after which the Adampur MLA walked into the well of the House alleging casteist remarks by Sidhu. He accused the minister of saying: “Hun eho jehe MLAian nu vi jawab dena payega (Now, should I even reply to such MLAs).”
Tinu was joined by other SADBJP MLAs in the well of the House who raised slogans against the minister for using “objectionable words”. Later, the Akali MLAs staged a walkout.
During the subsequent zero hour, Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal again raised the issue of Sidhu’s remarks. He said: “If his party MLAs were to be treated this way, they better stay out of House.”
“Decorum of the House has to be maintained and such a treatment of the Akali MLAs is unwarranted. It is not acceptable. The Opposition must be given respect in the House,” he said.
Finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal came to Sidhu’s support saying that Congress MLAs were mistreated and bullied during the 10-year rule of the AkaliBJP government. It led to ruckus, and the House was adjourned for the second time.
“I have not used any foul language against Tinu. I repeatedly addressed him as member saab. Then I said eho jehe (people like this while referring to Akalis) and they made a mountain out of molehill. I don’t get cowed down by such gimmicks,” said Sidhu, while addressing the media. “Instead, the Akali MLAs have been violating maryada, by calling speaker sahib bola (deaf) and sarkari” said Sidhu..