Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday demanded immediate registration of a criminal case against the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira for “casting aspersions” on the character of Barnala brutality victim Jaswinder Kaur.
“It is shocking and intolerable that AAP leader is insulting and demeaning a girl who had been subject to a brutal assault which was even posted on the social media by her tormentors,” said SAD senior vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema.
He said: “There can be no excuse for such inhuman behavior on the part of Khaira. He must be proceeded against immediately as per the law of the land. No one has the right to cast aspersions on a woman by terming her as a blackmailer and a bad character,” said Cheema.
Cheema said that it was shocking that Khaira had denigrated a dalit girl who was pursuing higher studies. He added that Jaswinder, who was unmarried, had completed her Masters degree in physical education and was presently pursuing her Phd in physical education, and has earlier played basketball as a young girl.
“This is a fit case for taking suo-moto action against Sukhpal Khaira by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. The Commission should also direct the State police to register a separate case under the SC Act against the AAP leader,” he added.
Cheema also demanded a clarification from AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on this issue. “Will Kejriwal sit back and allow an educated dalit woman to be called characterless by Sukhpal Khaira? This case is also a test for Kejriwal. It is to be seen whether he is sensitive to the insult heaped on the dalit community by Khaira or he believes in only mouthing homilies on dalit issues but not taking action when needed,” he added.