New Delhi – The third day of Delhi Assembly’s Winter Session became a complete washout as BJP protests against Atishi forced multiple adjournments of House proceedings on Wednesday. Legislators from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party staged aggressive demonstrations demanding the cancellation of membership of the Leader of Opposition, Atishi, for allegedly disrespecting Sikh guru Guru Tegh Bahadur. The intense political confrontation brought all legislative business to a standstill, preventing discussion on critical issues facing the national capital.
Atishi’s Absence Fuels Controversy
The controversy intensified as BJP protests against Atishi continued while the AAP leader remained absent from the assembly. Multiple appeals from the Speaker requesting Atishi to clarify her position went unanswered throughout the day. The AAP later informed the Speaker that Atishi had traveled to Goa, where she serves as the party’s state in-charge. This absence during scheduled legislative business, particularly on a day when air pollution debate was planned, drew sharp criticism from ruling party members and the Speaker himself.
Legislative Agenda Remains Stalled
As BJP protests against Atishi dominated proceedings, an extensive legislative agenda remained on hold. Important matters including the tabling of Comptroller and Auditor General reports, action on the privilege committee report, the Jan Vishwas Bill, amendments to the Delhi Shops and Establishments Bill, and a crucial discussion on Delhi’s air pollution crisis could not be taken up. The disruption highlighted how political confrontations continue to prevent substantive legislative work in the Delhi Assembly.
Origins of the Political Standoff
The genesis of BJP protests against Atishi traces back to Tuesday during a scheduled discussion on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. BJP MLAs accused Atishi of using “insensitive words” in connection with the revered Sikh guru and demanded a public apology. However, the specific remarks that sparked the controversy were not clearly audible in the official audio feed. The purported remarks were instead presented in a written submission alongside a letter submitted by cabinet ministers.
Dramatic Scenes in Assembly Well
When the Wednesday session commenced at 11am, BJP protests against Atishi took a confrontational turn as BJP MLAs carrying posters and shouting slogans against AAP trooped into the Well of the House. After two adjournments, the Speaker granted Atishi one hour to appear before the House and clarify her remarks. AAP MLA Mukesh Ahlawat informed the Speaker about Atishi’s departure to Goa, prompting Speaker Gupta to express dismay that the Leader of Opposition left Delhi on the day when the air pollution debate she had repeatedly demanded was finally scheduled.
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Ministers Demand Strict Action
Several ruling party members intensified BJP protests against Atishi through strong statements and demands for action. Cabinet ministers including Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ashish Sood, and Kapil Mishra submitted a letter to the Speaker demanding a criminal case in the matter and revocation of Atishi’s assembly membership. Sirsa stated, “Atishi should be ashamed. Insult of Guru Tegh Bahadur by her is an attack on the faith of us devotees.” Delhi law minister Kapil Mishra shared a video of Atishi speaking in the assembly on social media, calling her language “very indecent and shameful.”
AAP’s Counter-Allegations and Defense
Responding to BJP protests against Atishi, the AAP leader took to social media to defend herself and accuse the BJP of deliberate misrepresentation. Atishi claimed that “BJP has deliberately misused the name of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji” and alleged that a tweeted video made two false claims. She asserted the video was being projected as pertaining to the discussion on the guru’s martyrdom when it actually came from a later point after that discussion had concluded.
Allegations of Video Manipulation
As BJP protests against Atishi continued, she further explained that in the controversial video, she was “clearly speaking about the BJP trying to evade a discussion on pollution and about their protest in the Assembly over the issue of stray dogs.” Atishi accused the BJP of maliciously adding false subtitles and dragging Guru Tegh Bahadur’s name into the matter inappropriately. This allegation of video manipulation added another layer to the already complex political confrontation.
Senior AAP Leaders Rally Behind Atishi
Senior AAP leaders came forward as BJP protests against Atishi escalated, defending their colleague against what they termed as manufactured controversy. Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia posted on social media referring to the BJP as the “Bharatiya Jhootha Party” (Indian Liar Party), claiming “The statement made by the LoP in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, has been deliberately chopped, maliciously edited, and repackaged with poisonous intent to manufacture an entirely new lie.”
Questions About Evidence and Motives
AAP MLA Gopal Rai questioned the authenticity of the controversy behind BJP protests against Atishi, stating “But no video has been produced so far.” Rai alleged that the BJP was raising the issue strategically to avoid a substantive debate on pollution in the city. The AAP’s position remained that they had denied any disrespect from the beginning, maintaining their demand to discuss pollution was made only after the motion on Guru Tegh Bahadur had properly concluded.
Implications for Delhi Politics
The sustained BJP protests against Atishi represent broader tensions in Delhi’s political landscape. The incident highlights how religious sentiments, political rivalry, and governance issues intersect in the capital’s legislative arena. As the controversy remains unresolved, questions persist about when normal legislative business will resume and whether this confrontation will have longer-term implications for political discourse and the functioning of Delhi Assembly.
