Heated debates on farmers' protests in Punjab assembly

Chandigarh: The budget session of the Punjab assembly began with heated discussions over farmers’ protests. Congress leader Pargat Singh accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of harming the reputation of farmers in Punjab, allegedly at the request of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Pargat criticized Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan for making statements that he claimed were damaging to farmers. He insisted that farmers were not to blame for blockades on highways, asserting that the Haryana government had closed the borders. Pargat also expressed disappointment that the Punjab government failed to support a small group of farmers protesting in New Delhi. He claimed that the AAP government was acting on the BJP's agenda to create divisions among people in Punjab, stating that the business community was suffering under AAP’s rule. Further, he alleged that the Speaker connected drug abuse issues to the farmers' protests, prompting a strong denial from Sandhwan. The police actions against farmers were criticized by Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali. He highlighted that the protests had previously led to the repeal of controversial farm laws, but farmers felt let down as the government did not follow through on promises. Ayali urged support for farmers who were advocating for their rights. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called for action against police officers involved in an assault on a Sikh Army officer in Patiala. He described the incident as damaging to Punjab's reputation and demanded a thorough investigation. BSP MLA Nachhatar Pal Singh raised concerns about the delay in implementing the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which affects many employees. Congress MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra echoed his concerns and asked for clarity on the timeline for the scheme’s rollout. Finally, AAP MLA Chetan Singh Jouramajra pushed for stricter penalties for those who desecrate religious texts. He suggested that if the central government does not take action, the Punjab government should introduce its own laws to address the issue.