Chandigarh -S.Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bholath, today issued a press release addressing the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha regarding the continued delay in introducing his proposed Private Member Bill, which was submitted for discussion on January 23, 2023.
In his letter, Khaira expressed his deep concern and disappointment over handling the bill, which the Speaker initially sent to the Department of Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management. The official reply, dated June 22, 2023, stated that the bill was being reviewed for its financial implications, a reason Khaira categorically rejects, as the bill is aimed at generating revenue for the state rather than incurring financial losses. He criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for willfully delaying the bill under what he described as “frivolous grounds.”
Khaira further pointed out that despite a reminder from the Speaker’s office on September 29, 2023, the Revenue Department has yet to take any action on the bill. He termed this delay as a reflection of the AAP government’s “mischievous intentions.”
The proposed bill, according to Khaira, aims to address the rapidly changing demographic situation in Punjab, with an increasing influx of non-Punjabi residents. He emphasized that if the bill is not passed, it will lead to the erosion of the cultural, social, and linguistic identity of the state, potentially making Punjabis and Sikhs a minority in their own land. He highlighted the growing number of non-Punjabi voters in regions like V. Jagatpura in Mohali, where non-Punjabis now outnumber the Punjabi voters.
Khaira also pointed to the negative impact of this demographic shift on law and order, citing a recent incident in Mohali where two Punjabi youth were killed in a crime involving the non-Punjabi population. He argued that without legal protections, the state’s job market is also being overtaken by non-Punjabi youth, further escalating frustrations among the local population.
Additionally, Khaira noted that the introduction of such a law would help safeguard Punjab’s agricultural land from being acquired by outside corporate interests, as seen with the controversial farm laws imposed by the central government. He also clarified that the bill is not aimed at preventing non-Punjabis from earning a livelihood in Punjab but rather ensuring that those who wish to settle permanently in the state meet certain legal conditions.
He rebutted objections raised by some critics who compare this bill to the migration of Punjabi youth abroad. Khaira argued that if non-Punjabis wish to settle permanently in Punjab, they should adhere to the same legal requirements as immigrants do in countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia, which have stringent immigration laws to preserve their demographic makeup.
Khaira concluded his letter by urging the Speaker to introduce the bill in the upcoming winter session of the Vidhan Sabha, allowing for a fair and open discussion. He emphasized that if the bill is defeated, he would respect the decision and withdraw his stance.Khaira’s call reflects his urgent concern for the future of Punjab, its people, and its cultural identity