Chandigarh-The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) strongly condemns the reported remarks attributed to Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan concerning a Sikh’s beard, as well as the reported manner in which Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia was treated during the Assembly proceedings.
NAPA believes that the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly carries a responsibility far greater than that of an ordinary political representative. The Speaker is the custodian of the dignity, discipline and impartiality of the entire House. Any language from the Chair that is personal, derogatory, religiously insensitive or humiliating is deeply concerning and must not be normalised as political banter.
For the Sikh community, the beard and kesh are closely connected with Sikh religious identity and tradition. Therefore, any derogatory reference to a Sikh’s beard is particularly sensitive and unacceptable, especially when such language is alleged to have come from the person occupying the highest procedural position in Punjab’s legislature.
NAPA emphasises that political disagreement is a normal and necessary part of democracy. The Speaker has every right to enforce the rules of the House when any MLA violates parliamentary procedure. However, enforcement of parliamentary discipline must never become personal humiliation, intimidation or ridicule. Rules must be applied equally to members of the ruling party and the opposition.
NAPA is particularly concerned about the reported treatment of MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia. Regardless of her political affiliation, she is an elected representative of the people of Punjab and is entitled to dignity and respect inside the Assembly. If she has violated any parliamentary rule, the appropriate rules and procedures should be followed. No elected representative, however, should be subjected to personal humiliation.
NAPA calls upon Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to immediately clarify the exact remarks attributed to him and place the relevant portion of the official Assembly record before the public. If the reported remarks were inaccurate or taken out of context, the matter should be clarified transparently. If inappropriate or religiously insensitive language was used, NAPA urges the Speaker to withdraw the remarks and offer an appropriate apology.
Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of NAPA, said:
“The Speaker’s Chair is not a throne and it is not a licence to insult anyone. The Speaker is the custodian of the dignity of the entire House and must therefore demonstrate a higher standard of restraint, impartiality and respect than any ordinary member.”
“If the reported remarks concerning a Sikh’s beard were made in a derogatory or religiously insensitive manner, they are deeply unacceptable. For Sikhs, kesh and the beard are connected with religious identity and dignity. Such matters should never be turned into political ridicule inside the Punjab Assembly.”
“We also strongly condemn any treatment of MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia that compromises her dignity as an elected woman representative. Parliamentary rules must be enforced, but they must be enforced fairly and without humiliation. The Chair must remain above party politics.”
“Our message is simple: the Speaker is the Speaker of the whole House—not only of the ruling party. Punjab needs a Legislative Assembly where arguments are answered with arguments, where opposition voices are respected and where religious identity is never used as a weapon of political confrontation.”
NAPA urges all political parties and elected representatives to maintain the highest standards of parliamentary conduct and to protect the dignity of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. The people of Punjab deserve a legislature that demonstrates the democratic values of fairness, equality, accountability and mutual respect.
NAPA reiterates that no political position, parliamentary majority or constitutional office should place anyone above the standards of dignity and accountability expected in a democracy.