New Delhi: Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday accused the BJP-led Government of India of imposing an “undeclared emergency” by detaining an elected MP under the National Security Act (NSA) with the BJP sharply countering; suggesting Channi was referring to jailed Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh.
Speaking during a Lok Sabha debate, the former Punjab Chief Minister said: 'This situation also constitutes an emergency, as a Member of Parliament elected by 20 lakh people in Punjab has been detained under the NSA and is unable to address his constituency in Parliament.'
In a post on X, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Congress must answer whether the party was in support of the idea of Khalistan that led to the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
“Batting for separatist who wants tukde tukde of India? Rahul ji must answer - the idea of Khalistan that caused the assassination of PM Indira ji is being hailed!! Why does Congress always bat for separatists and terrorists? Yakub, Afzal, 26/11 jihadis, now K terrorists?” he said.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for 30 minutes until 2 pm due to a heated exchange between former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu over personal remarks.
Channi referred to the assassination of Bittu's grandfather, former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, sparking a heated exchange between Bittu, who recently left Congress to join the BJP, and Channi. In response, Bittu made personal remarks about Channi and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, which caused a significant uproar.
In a heated exchange, Channi told Bittu, “Your grandfather became a martyr, the day you left Congress.” To which, the BJP leader retorted, “My grandfather sacrificed for the country, not for Congress.”
He also called Channi “the most corrupt person in Punjab”.
During his address to the Lok Sabha, Channi accused the government of creating conditions similar to an emergency.
He listed the lack of progress in the Sidhu Moosewala case, action against opposition leaders by central agencies, and alleged mistreatment of farmers, women athletes, and journalists as evidence of this.
The Congress leader also pointed to the long-standing unrest in Manipur and the Hathras gang rape case, in which he said the victim's cremation was rushed.
“The country is facing an undeclared emergency and the BJP is responsible,” Channi said.
“Farmers are called Khalistani when they make demands, which aren't fulfilled. This is also an emergency,” he added.