Now Reading: Punjab Assembly erupts over BJP MLA’s girl child remark
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Punjab Assembly erupts over BJP MLA’s girl child remark
Punjab BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma expressed regret after his remark about blaming the Centre when a girl is born triggered protests in the Assembly. He had made the comment while countering AAP…
The Story in Brief
Punjab BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma expressed regret after his remark about blaming the Centre when a girl is born triggered protests in the Assembly. He had made the comment while countering AAP allegations that the Union government had curtailed Punjab’s funds. AAP ministers and women legislators called for an apology, with Aman Arora describing the remark as discriminatory. Sharma said he had used a common phrase, sought removal of the words from Assembly records and later said he regretted causing offence.
The dispute began after Punjab minister Barinder Kumar Goyal blamed the Centre for limiting support to the state’s sand mining revenue. Goyal said Punjab could have earned more than Rs 20,000 crore with Union support. Sharma also attacked the AAP government over illegal mining and alleged action against women protesters.
The Indian Opinion
The lazy narrative that this was merely a harmless phrase ignores its clear gendered insult. But the competing claim that one remark settles the BJP’s or AAP’s entire attitude towards women is also political overreach. The Assembly should judge the words, record any apology and return to the mining dispute. The useful test is whether Punjab can show audited revenue and enforcement figures, not louder accusations.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, news.abplive.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
