By Pankaj Jain
New Delhi, Jan 7 (UNI) Delhi government ministers and BJP MLAs on Wednesday submitted a written complaint to Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, seeking action against Leader of Opposition Atishi over an alleged insult to Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur during a discussion in the House.
After filing the complaint, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma said the entire House was hurt by the alleged objectionable remarks made by the AAP leader during a discussion on the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. He said a letter has been submitted to the Speaker seeking time-bound legal action, including cancellation of Atishi’s membership from the assembly.
“Yesterday, a discussion was being held on the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Leader of the Opposition, Atishi, did not participate in the discussion and instead used objectionable language. The issue was raised by all members and the Speaker took it seriously,” the minister said.
He added that the remarks had hurt not only the House, but also citizens across the country.
“We are deeply hurt. A copy of what she said has been submitted to the Speaker, and the matter should be dealt with in a time-bound manner,” he said.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Sikh committee of Rakab Ganj Sahib Gurdwara met Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and expressed concern over Atishi’s alleged remarks on Sikh Guru.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta also expressed displeasure over the LoPs absence from the House. “It is very unfortunate that even after repeatedly calling, the Leader of Opposition was not present. She has gone to Goa. This is a serious matter, and because of it there is anger among the members of the House,” the Speaker said.
In a letter dated January 7, addressed to the Speaker, the MLAs alleged that during a special discussion held on January 6 under Rule 270 to honour Guru Tegh Bahadur’s supreme sacrifice, Atishi stood up from her seat and made remarks that were “extremely offensive, shameful and inappropriate”.
The letter states that members of the ruling side, including ministers and the CM were participating in the discussion when the alleged remarks were made. The complainants claimed the language used was objectionable that it could not be reproduced in writing, though a word-by-word transcript of the statement has been attached.
The MLAs further said that since Independence, no member of any legislative House has used such language in reference to any Guru. They termed the remarks unprecedented and an insult to the Sikh Guru.
The signatories demanded that a criminal case be registered against Atishi, her immediate disqualification from the Delhi Assembly, and strict action by the Speaker using the powers vested in him. The letter also sought exemplary punishment, stating that the Assembly is not a place to insult Guru Tegh Bahadur.
The complainants urged the Speaker to take an immediate decision and initiate appropriate action in the matter.
Meanwhile, a separate document attached with the letter by BJP MLAs to speaker titled “Atishi Statement on Guru”, contains the remarks attributed to the Leader of Opposition, in which she is seen urging the Speaker to prioritise a discussion on pollution. She stated that Delhi residents are unable to breathe and are dying due to pollution, and questioned why the government was avoiding discussion on the issue.
According to BJP MLAs who filed a complaint with the speaker Gupta, AAP MLA Atishi had demanded a discussion on pollution and while laying down her case for such a discussion, said, “Kahte hai kutto ka samman karo, Guru ka samman karo” (They say honour dogs, they also say respect Gurus).
The issue has triggered sharp reactions in the Delhi Assembly, with the matter now under the Speaker’s consideration.
Earlier, Delhi assembly was adjounred on Wednesday after an uproar in the house as BJP MLAs demanded an apology from the Leader of the opposition Atishi over an alleged insult to the Sikh Guru. BJP MLAs continued raising slogans of “Aam Aadmi Party maafi maango” (AAP apologise) inside the House.
The Speaker first directed the Leader of Opposition to come to the House and present her views. The house was later adjounred till 11 am on Thursday as the uproar continued.
