Channi, Bittu cross swords in Parliament

Congress Lok Sabha MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi triggered an uproar in Parliament on Thursday after he alleged that there is “undeclared emergency” under BJP-led government’s rule and noted that “free speech” of the Waris Punjab De chief and Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh who is in jail is being curbed by invoking the National Security Act against him.

Speaking during the debate on the Budget 2024, Charanjit Singh Channi said, “They (BJP) speak about Emergency every day. But what about the undeclared Emergency in the country today?...This too is Emergency that a man who was elected as an MP by 20 lakh people in Punjab is behind bars under the NSA. He is unable to present the views of the people of his constituency, here. This too is Emergency.”

He made a scathing attack at the BJP led-NDA government and alleged that there is an undeclared emergency in the nation while stating that Sidhu Moose Wala, one of the famous singers of the nation was killed and justice has not delivered to his family.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for 30 minutes following a verbal spat between Channi and the BJP’s Ravneet Singh Bittu over certain personal remarks.

Channi referred to the assassination of Bittu’s grandfather, former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. This led to a war of words between Bittu, who recently quit the Congress to join the BJP, and Channi.