Who is Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who has a long association with controversies? Now comment on women created political storm, strict action taken

Sukhpal Singh Khaira Controversy: The controversy over Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s alleged remarks about women is continuously increasing. The Punjab Assembly has passed a censure motion against her, while the Punjab State Women Commission has also taken suo motu cognizance of the matter.

The Commission has taken a serious stance on the alleged comments made especially about Dalit women and has sought a report from the police. This action has taken place at a time when there was heated debate and uproar regarding this issue in the Assembly. Sukhpal Singh Khaira has a long association with controversies.

What is the whole controversy?

Sukhpal Singh Khaira had shared a video on social media. In this video, a YouTuber was seen raising questions on the morality of some women. It was told that the woman seen in the video was allegedly an Aam Aadmi Party worker and was seen dancing in joy after the announcement of financial assistance of Rs 1,000. While sharing the video, Khaira had said that women were celebrating after the announcement of financial assistance. He had also alleged that she was ignoring issues like atrocities being committed against the farmers and employees of the state.

What action was taken against Khaira?

Expressing serious objection to the social media post of Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Punjab State Women Commission has directed Kapurthala Police to investigate the matter. The Commission has asked the Punjab Police to get the matter investigated by an SP rank officer. Along with this, the Commission has directed the SSP of Kapurthala that the status report of the investigation should be submitted to the Commission and the court as soon as possible.

Earlier in the day, MLAs of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party had presented a censure motion against Khaira in the Assembly. The party alleged that the Congress leader had deliberately insulted Dalit women with his remarks.

Who is Sukhpal Singh Khaira?

Sukhpal Singh Khaira, born on 13 January 1965, is a leader of the Indian National Congress and has been elected MLA from Bholath assembly constituency of Punjab for the third time. From July 2017 to July 2018, he was also the leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly. He is also the President of All India Kisan Congress from July 2022.

He started his political career with Youth Congress. In the year 1997, he became the Vice President of Punjab Youth Congress. He inherited his political legacy from his father Sukhjinder Singh Khaira, a senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former education minister of Punjab. Sukhpal Singh Khaira is also the national president of Farmers and Farm Laborers Congress.

In which controversies has Sukhpal Singh Khaira been involved in before?

• Sukhpal Singh Khaira has already faced many allegations. He was accused of trying to save Gurdev Singh, who was smuggling heroin from across the border. However, Khaira had rejected these allegations and demanded an investigation.
• In April 2018, the Justice Mehtab Singh Gill panel constituted by the government had said in its report that 17 cases registered against Khaira were false and demanded action against the police officers involved.
• In November 2021, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Khaira in a money laundering case. This case was related to a big drug smuggling case of 2015, in which smuggling of heroin, gold, weapons and fake passports was being investigated. ED had alleged that Khaira had links with the accused in this case. Later a Mohali court framed charges against him under PMLA.
• In the year 2018, Khaira had to face criticism even within the party. At that time, Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar had demanded him to resign from the post of Leader of Opposition amid allegations of financial irregularities. Some Aam Aadmi Party leaders had alleged that Khaira had taken cash from party workers.