Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab MP from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, strongly presented the party’s position in Parliament on the issues of women’s reservation and delimitation. Kang clarified that the Aam Aadmi Party and its national leadership, Arvind Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, fully support the Women’s Reservation Bill and demand that the central government implement the law, which was passed in 2023, at the earliest without any delay.

Speaking on women’s empowerment, Kang said that the teachings of respecting women have been imparted to us by the Sikh Gurus. He recalled that at a time when the practice of Sati was prevalent in the country, Guru Ramdas Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji raised their voices against it.

Kang further stated that when women in many developed countries did not have the right to vote, the apex Sikh body, SGPC, had already granted voting rights to women as early as 1920.

Presenting his views in Parliament, Malvinder Singh Kang also cornered the central government on the issue of delimitation. He said that a conspiracy is being hatched to diminish the political representation of smaller states like Punjab through delimitation, which he strongly opposes. Kang stated that despite having only 2% of the country’s population, Punjab made the highest sacrifices in the freedom struggle, yet due to reduced political representation, Punjab was deprived of its capital Chandigarh, and now its representation is being diminished even in institutions managing resources like the Bhakra Dam.

Kang argued that India is a union of states. When the central government appealed for population control, Punjab followed it sincerely. Today, Punjab is bearing the consequences of that population control, as its seats in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha are being reduced on the basis of lower population. He said that the central government, by misusing its majority, can arbitrarily carry out delimitation of seats to serve its political interests.

Concluding his remarks in Parliament, Kang said that the central government should immediately implement the Women’s Reservation law on the ground, but must stop interfering with the federal structure and the rights of smaller states under the pretext of delimitation.

AAP Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday raised serious questions over the conduct and history of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), stating that the party’s track record reflects a pattern of deeply troubling activities.

In a video message, AAP Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “The suffering Punjab endured during the Akali-BJP government from 2007 to 2017 is extensive. Whether it was the illegal drug trade, cable mafia, bus business, or the promotion of gangster culture, the direct involvement of Akali leaders was evident in every sphere. Today, once again, their ugly face has been exposed before the public.”

Referring to a recent incident in Moga, Baltej Pannu stated, “An Akali leader and Municipal Councillor Jagjit Singh Jeeta has been arrested on charges of running a sex racket in his own hotel. During the police raid, several girls were found at the spot, including a minor, which is extremely heartbreaking and deeply concerning.” He added that the property where the illegal activities were being carried out is owned by Jagjit Singh Jeeta himself, raising serious concerns about accountability.

Questioning the silence of the Akali Dal leadership, Baltej Pannu said, “Even after so many hours since the arrest, why has no senior Akali leader issued any statement? Does their silence amount to direct support for criminals?”

Taking aim at the Akali Dal’s ongoing campaign, Baltej Pannu said, “During the so-called ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’ in Moga, photographs of Jagjit Singh Jeeta with senior Akali leaders have surfaced. Is this how they intend to save Punjab? Those whose hands are stained with activities that push innocent girls into darkness have no right to talk about saving Punjab.”

He further added, “In a previous sex scandal that surfaced in Moga, the names of several senior Akali leaders had also emerged. This clearly shows that the party has become a hub of immoral activities and illegal businesses.”

Appealing directly to the people, Baltej Pannu stated, “Today, Punjab needs to be saved not from anyone else, but from such people who, driven by personal greed and selfish interests, have not hesitated to indulge in any wrongdoing.”

Reiterating the Bhagwant Mann Government’s commitment to law enforcement, he asserted, “The AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will not spare any criminal, no matter how influential they may be.”