New Delhi, 07 January (H.S.): Chaos engulfed the Delhi Assembly on Wednesday, forcing Speaker Vijender Gupta to adjourn proceedings twice after BJP legislators stormed the well of the House, brandishing posters and chanting slogans against Leader of Opposition Atishi for allegedly disrespecting Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The uproar stemmed from Atishi's purported remarks during an ongoing debate on the Delhi government's commemorative program marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, observed last November.

BJP members, including ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ashish Sood, and Kapil Mishra, accused her of employing insensitive language that wounded Sikh religious sentiments, particularly as the session paid tribute to the ninth Sikh Guru's historic sacrifice. They insisted the opposition had disrupted a solemn discussion by pivoting to unrelated issues like air pollution, despite a dedicated slot scheduled for the following day.

Speaker Gupta, brandishing a transcript of Atishi's statement, condemned her words as utterly unacceptable and implored her to attend the session for clarification. With protests intensifying and the House descending into pandemonium, he suspended sittings for the day, underscoring the gravity of the affront during such a revered discourse.

BJP MLAs, undeterred, reiterated demands for Atishi's unconditional public apology, framing the incident as a deliberate dishonor to Sikh heritage amid the winter session slated to resume until January 8.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar