Punjab Assembly passes censure motion against ‘removal’ of Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh photos in Delhi

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday unanimously passed a Censure Motion condemning the removal of pictures of Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh by the BJP-led Delhi Government immediately after assuming office.

The motion, moved by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, strongly criticized the BJP government in Delhi for disrespecting national icons.

During the Zero Hour, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema raised the issue and urged the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to pass a resolution condemning the BJP’s actions in Delhi and send it to the President of India.

Expressing his deep concerns, Cheema stated that the BJP government in Delhi had committed a grave insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Dalit community. He described the immediate removal of Ambedkar’s pictures as a direct affront to Dalits across the country.

Cheema further pointed out the rising atrocities against Dalits since the BJP assumed power at the Centre. He alleged that cases of rape and attempts to alter the constitution had increased, fueling concerns about the BJP’s intentions to change the fundamental structure of the country.

He also referenced the recent remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament, which he claimed showed disrespect toward Ambedkar and contributed to the desecration of Ambedkar’s statue in Amritsar.

Highlighting the swift government response to the recent attempt to desecrate Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue, Cheema praised Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for ensuring the accused was immediately arrested.

He contrasted this with what he claimed would have happened under a BJP-led Punjab government, alleging that the accused would have been shielded from accountability.

Cheema also criticized the BJP’s efforts to undermine democratic institutions, citing policies like "One Nation, One Election" as a threat to the constitutional rights established by Ambedkar for marginalized communities.

He thanked Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa for supporting the cause and emphasized the need for unity against any attempts to erode the rights and dignity of the underprivileged.

MLAs Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi and Nachhattar Pal Singh also condemned the BJP-led Delhi Government’s actions, calling them narrow-minded and an attack on the nation’s democratic values.