Chandigarh, March 11
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Ganieve Kaur Majithia on Wednesday said she would approach the National Commission for Women seeking action against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his alleged remarks objectifying women and using derogatory language.
Speaking to the media persons, Majithia said the Chief Minister must apologise for the remarks he made about women during a speech in Ludhiana. She said if Mann apologises, the matter could end there, otherwise she would take the issue to the National Commission for Women.
Ganieve also raised concerns over the alleged assault on Anganwadi workers during protests. According to her, women protesters were beaten with sticks and their dupattas were pulled, which she described as an attack on the dignity of women. She added that the issue of an alleged fake encounter in which a mother’s only son was killed would also be taken up before the commission.
“If the Chief Minister does not apologise for what he said about women in Ludhiana, we will certainly approach the Women Commission. We will also raise the issue of women being beaten with sticks, their dupattas being pulled and the alleged fake encounter in which a mother lost her only son,” Ganieve said.
Responding to a question about Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s statement in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Ganieve said she neither supported nor opposed his remarks but believed he should have been given an opportunity to speak in the House. “I am not in favour of that statement and I am not defending it either. But he should have been heard. Even today he was not given the opportunity to speak. A person must be heard before any conclusion is drawn,” she said.
Ganieve also criticised the ruling Aam Aadmi Party for what she described as wasting the valuable time of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on petty issues. She said the Assembly should focus on public concerns rather than personal controversies. She added that if the ruling party was genuinely concerned about women’s dignity, it should have supported the resolution brought by the Congress seeking action against the Chief Minister over his remarks. Ganieve said such comments against women were unacceptable and stressed that the women of Punjab have always given birth to brave sons and continue to command respect in society.
