Delhi Assembly Erupts Over Atishi’s ‘Insensitive’ Remark
BJP demands apology during Guru Tegh Bahadur anniversary debate as AAP alleges bid to dodge pollution discussion.
- BJP accuses Atishi of using insensitive words
- Uproar during debate on Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom anniversary
- Speaker hints at possible censure motion
- AAP says BJP blocking pollution discussion
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Jan: The Delhi Assembly witnessed chaotic scenes on Tuesday as BJP legislators accused Leader of Opposition Atishi of using “insensitive words” during a debate on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, triggering loud protests and repeated disruptions in the House.
The flashpoint occurred when AAP MLAs pushed for a discussion on Delhi’s worsening pollution levels while BJP members were speaking on the government’s programme marking the Sikh Guru’s martyrdom anniversary. Ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ashish Sood and Kapil Mishra alleged that Atishi made inappropriate remarks that hurt religious sentiments and demanded an immediate apology.
Although the exact words that triggered the uproar were not clear from available audio, Sirsa said any improper word used in reference to Guru Tegh Bahadur was unacceptable and required a public apology. Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta intervened, calling the issue sensitive and indicating that a censure motion could be brought after reviewing video footage.
Minister Ashish Sood accused the opposition of trivialising the discussion by raising the pollution issue during the debate, adding that pollution was already scheduled to be discussed the following day.
The Aam Aadmi Party later alleged that the BJP was deliberately disrupting the Assembly to avoid scrutiny over air quality. In a statement, the party said the government was unwilling to hold a serious debate on pollution and flagged the expulsion of AAP MLAs on the first day of the session as evidence of a pre-planned strategy to stifle the opposition.
