Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta triggered a major controversy on Friday by declaring that the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) in Jalandhar related to a video of AAP leader Atishi constitutes a breach of privilege of the legislative House. The move came after a BJP legislator raised the issue in the assembly.
Speaker's Stern Declaration in the House
Gupta made his statement after BJP MLA Abhay Verma informed the House about the case being registered. While Verma stated the FIR was against former MLA Kapil Mishra, the police have not officially confirmed any names in the report. Gupta asserted that the FIR was based on a video recording of the assembly's proceedings, which he declared is the exclusive property of the House.
"The matter raised by Verma pertains to a breach of privilege of this House. The registered FIR is based on a video recording of proceedings within the House, which is the property of the House," Gupta stated. He emphasized that taking legal action using this footage was a serious overreach.
He directly implicated the Jalandhar Police Commissioner, stating a clear case of breach of privilege was made out against him. "The House will consider appropriate action against the police commissioner of Jalandhar, as this is an unwarranted interference with House property," Gupta warned, later posting his remarks on social media platform X.
Opposition Rallies Against "Political Terrorism"
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties, who have labeled the Punjab Police's action as vendetta-driven. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira called the FIR an act of "political terrorism" and a sign that Punjab has transformed into a "police state" under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
In a post on X, Khaira wrote about a "shocking & blatant case of extreme political vendetta" for sharing Atishi's video. Leader of the Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, echoed the sentiment, condemning the FIR as a blatant abuse of state power.
"Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Police are being misused to harass opposition lawmakers rather than restoring law and order," Bajwa alleged. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused the AAP government of trying to implicate the opposition instead of addressing the alleged blasphemous remarks made by Atishi.
Akali Dal Announces Protest Dharna
Adding another dimension to the controversy, the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) announced it would stage a dharna at all district headquarters on Saturday. The protest is against what they term Atishi's "blasphemous" remarks and to demand the registration of a case against her.
Meanwhile, Speaker Gupta revealed that the video in question was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination on the opposition's demand. "Since the recording belongs to the House, calling it 'tampered' is an affront to the dignity of the House. Anyone involved in this conspiracy will face strict action," he concluded, setting the stage for a potential constitutional clash between the Delhi Assembly and the Punjab police.
