Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 3
In a first, a session of the 15th Vidhan Sabha began and ended without much hullabaloo. This despite political unease within the state over the farm laws as well as within the ruling Congress.
On the sidelines
- The Governor, CM and Justice Khehar addressed in English, while the Speaker spoke in Punjabi, interspersed with English
- A slanging match was witnessed between Akali Dal MLA Bikram Majithia and his becirc;te noire Inderbir Singh Bolaria
- During the Business Advisory Council meeting, Opposition MLAs demanded a 15-day session
Ahead of today’s session, there were murmurs of a proposed confidence vote to be sought by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to outsmart rebels within his party led by PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, after a whip was issued to all MLAs yesterday.
On the floor of the House, a confident Chief Minister spoke about the teachings and life of Guru Teg Bahadur and the importance of pluralism in society. The one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha had been convened to mark the 400th Prakash Purb of the ninth Sikh Guru.
The SAD made a last-minute request before Speaker Rana KP Singh asking him to direct the CM to prove majority in the House in the wake of rebellion against him, but it was ignored/turned down by the Speaker before he adjourned the House sine die.
The rebels, including ministers and PCC chief Sidhu, occupied the treasury benches at the rear or extreme right of CM’s seat. The proceedings began with the House paying tribute to 24 eminent persons/ freedom fighters/ martyrs, including sportspersons Milkha Singh, Nirmal Milkha Singh and Yashpal Sharma, who had died in the months preceding the session.
On the request of Congress MLA Randeep Singh Nabha and Deputy Leader of Opposition Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, farmers who had died in the ongoing agitation against the central farm laws were included in the list.
This was followed by the special address to commemorate the Prakash Purb by former Chief Justice of India Justice JS Khehar, Governor Banwarilal Purohit, CM Capt Amarinder Singh and Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema.
In his maiden address, Purohit described Guru’s martyrdom as the turning point in the spiritual, religious and political history of India. “His messages continue to guide the humanity and remain universally relevant at all times. The Gurus inspired us in an era that was perhaps the most challenging phase of our history,” he said. Speaker Rana KP Singh said Guru’s sacrifice would inspire the mankind to imbibe the message of love, harmony and tolerance.
Justice Khehar emphasised the importance of “ardas” in the Sikh way of life. “By reflecting on the Guru, we can achieve all nine spiritual and worldly sources of wealth,” he said, adding the Guru chose martyrdom to ensure protection of religious rights of all as being central to the Sikh identity. The Dalai Lama and Vice President of India, who were also invited for today’s special session, couldn’t attend and their messages were read out by the Speaker.
“The Sikh faith is distinguished by the tradition of martyrdom to uphold principles and righteousness given to us by our Gurus. The life and message of Guru Teg Bahadur constitute the essence of what we have come to regard as Punjabiat,” said the CM.
Special session: Trust vote request turned down; CM says must imbibe Punjabiat
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