Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday strongly condemned senior Akali leader Sikander Singh Maluka’s remarks on the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, saying that his suggestion that the Punjab Government wanted to “buy” mothers and sisters by providing them ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 as sanman rashi is a grave insult to the dignity of Punjab’s women.
In a statement,AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Akali leader Sikander Singh Maluka should tell Punjab what kind of thinking makes him believe that mothers and daughters can be ‘bought’ with ₹1,000 or ₹1,500. This is not merely an attack on a government scheme. By using such language, Sikander Singh Maluka has insulted the mothers, sisters and daughters of Punjab who are receiving this sanman rashi with dignity.”
He said, “The Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna reflects Bhagwant Mann’s government’s commitment to giving women greater financial independence. The ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 reaching women is their sanman rashi. Sikander Singh Maluka’s attempt to portray this support as an effort to ‘buy’ women reveals how Akali leadership views the women of Punjab.”
Baltej Pannu said that the success and widespread acceptance of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna had evidently unsettled the opposition. “The Bhagwant Mann Government has made a historic budgetary commitment of ₹9,300 crore for this initiative. This is money going directly towards empowering the women of Punjab and strengthening their financial independence. Instead of welcoming an initiative benefiting mothers and daughters, Sikander Singh Maluka has chosen to demean the very women receiving it,” he said.
Referring to Sikander Singh Maluka’s past conduct, Baltej Pannu said, “This is also not the first time that Sikander Singh Maluka’s conduct has raised questions about his attitude towards women. Punjab has not forgotten the incident involving protesting teachers. A person who subsequently occupied the important position of Education Minister should have shown greater sensitivity towards teachers and women. His latest remarks show why serious questions continue to be raised about his mindset.”
Taking on Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Baltej Pannu said that the Akali leader who had projected herself as the face of the ‘Nanhi Chhaan’ campaign must tell Punjab why her voice disappeared whenever questions were raised about leaders from her own party. “Harsimrat Kaur Badal talks about ‘Nanhi Chhaan’ and claims to stand for the dignity of women. But where was this voice when questions arose in the Anandpur Sahib sarai case involving Akali leader Amarjit Singh Chawla? Harsimrat Kaur Badal remained silent then. Now Sikander Singh Maluka has made these insulting remarks about mothers and daughters receiving sanman rashi. Will Harsimrat Kaur Badal speak now, or will she remain silent once again?” asked Baltej Pannu.
Reiterating the same question on X, Baltej Pannu wrote: “Listen to the thinking of Akali leader Sikander Singh Maluka regarding the ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 given as a mark of respect to mothers and daughters! This was the same mindset at the sacred serais of Sri Anandpur Sahib in the case involving Akali leader Amarjit Singh Chawla! Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who calls herself ‘Nanni Chhaan’, has not spoken on the serais case so far. Will you now speak out about Sikander Singh Maluka as well?”
Punjab Women’s Commission Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Sikander Singh Maluka’s Remarks
The Punjab State Women’s Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sikander Singh Maluka’s remarks on the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna. The Commission has sought an explanation from Sikander Singh Maluka and directed the relevant authorities to look into the matter. The development comes amid the controversy over his remarks concerning the ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 monthly sanman rashi provided to eligible women under the scheme.
