A committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly has formally recommended that action be taken against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and three other individuals. This recommendation comes after they repeatedly failed to appear before the panel for hearings related to the ongoing and contentious 'Phansi Ghar' dispute.
What is the 'Phansi Ghar' Controversy?
The core of the disagreement revolves around a renovated section within the premises of the Delhi Assembly building. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has asserted that this space is a historical British-era gallows chamber, a place where executions were once carried out. They have emphasized its historical significance. In stark contrast, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has countered this claim, stating that the area in question was merely a tiffin room used by assembly staff and holds no such macabre historical value.
The Committee's Stern Recommendation
The Assembly panel, which was investigating the matter, scheduled multiple hearings to gather testimonies and clarify the facts. According to the panel's findings, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and three others did not attend these scheduled hearings. Their absence was deemed a disregard for the parliamentary process. Consequently, the committee has submitted a report recommending appropriate disciplinary action against them for skipping the proceedings. The news was reported by PTI on January 6, 2026.
Political Implications and Next Steps
This development intensifies the political tug-of-war between the AAP and the BJP in the national capital. The dispute over the room's identity has now escalated into a procedural and disciplinary issue. The panel's recommendation puts the spotlight on parliamentary decorum and the obligations of elected representatives. The next course of action will depend on how the Assembly Secretariat and the Speaker's office decide to proceed with this recommendation, potentially leading to a fresh political confrontation.
The 'Phansi Ghar' row, therefore, is no longer just a debate about history and nomenclature. It has transformed into a significant test of institutional protocols and political accountability within the Delhi legislature.
