BJP asks Speaker to revoke Atishi’s Assembly membership

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members on Wednesday submitted a letter to Speaker Vijender Gupta, seeking cancellation of senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Atishi’s Assembly membership for allegedly insulting Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Hitting back, Ms. Atishi said that the BJP has insulted Guru Tegh Bahadur by “misusing” his name for its politics.

“In the video, I am clearly speaking about the BJP trying to evade a discussion on pollution and about their protest in the Assembly over the issue of stray dogs. However, the BJP maliciously added a false subtitle and dragged Guru Tegh Bahadur ji’s name into it,” she added.

Earlier in the day, the BJP held a protest against Ms. Atishi, Leader of Opposition (LoP), in the Assembly, leading to the adjournment.

The Speaker said it is unfortunate that the LoP has not communicated with him on the matter. To this, AAP members apprised the Speaker that Ms. Atishi was not present in the House as she was out of Delhi.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), along with representatives of various Sikh organisations have submitted a written memorandum to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, demanding stringent action against Ms. Atishi.

Due to the protest, no other proceedings took place on the third day of the four-day Winter Session. AAP MLA Gopal Rai alleged that the House was adjourned as the BJP wanted “to avoid discussion on pollution”.

The BJP members alleged that Ms. Atishi insulted Guru Tegh Bahadur during a discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday.