Chandigarh, January 17
Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Partap Singh Bajwa, stated that the remarks made by the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, Atishi Marlena, were extremely objectionable and deeply derogatory. He said the statements had caused grave hurt to the Sikh community and had also lowered the dignity of the Vidhan Sabha, particularly as they were made by an individual holding a constitutional position.
Bajwa said the issue was no longer a matter of political debate but one of constitutional propriety and respect for religious sentiments. He pointed out that the official bulletin of proceedings issued by the Speaker of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha on 6 January 2026 had clearly placed all facts on record, leaving no scope for ambiguity or distortion.
Referring to the bulletin, Bajwa said it categorically recorded that the Presiding Officer had received a forensic laboratory report which authenticated the objectionable remarks made by Atishi Marlena on the floor of the House. He stated that once official Vidhan Sabha records and forensic evidence confirmed the facts, denial or evasion was no longer possible.
Expressing deep anguish, Bajwa said that despite widespread outrage across Punjab and among Sikhs worldwide, Atishi Marlena had neither come forward with any clarification nor tendered an apology. He added that her continued silence reflected a serious lack of moral responsibility and sensitivity towards the sentiments of the Sikh community.
Bajwa said that in light of these developments, the Congress party had demanded immediate and strict action. He stated that a criminal case should be registered for deliberately hurting religious sentiments, an unconditional public apology should be issued, and Atishi Marlena should be removed from the post of Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha. He further said the AAP leadership must be held accountable for protecting and shielding such conduct.
Bajwa also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR registered by the Punjab Police at Jalandhar against opposition leaders Pargat Singh and Sukhpal Khaira for sharing material which now stood officially authenticated by the Delhi Vidhan Sabha itself, terming the FIR false, vindictive and politically motivated.
Bajwa warned that the use of state machinery to intimidate opposition voices while protecting those who insult religious beliefs amounted to a dangerous abuse of power and a direct assault on democratic values. He said there could not be one law for those in power and another for the opposition.
Bajwa concluded by stating that the Sikh community would not tolerate any insult to its Gurus and that any delay or denial of justice in this matter would only deepen the sense of hurt and betrayal. He added that respect for faith, constitutional morality and equality before the law were non-negotiable.
