Tempers flared in the Punjab State Assembly on Thursday over LoP Pratap Singh Bajwa's remarks on Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. As per reports, LoP Pratap Bajwa on Wednesday made a remark on the Sant Seechewal model. As a result, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs demanded that Bajwa should apologise for his statement on MP Seechewal. For those who are unaware, Partap Singh Bajwa on Wednesday targeted the AAP government for allegedly using environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal’s technique for cleaning ponds in villages, saying that his was a “failed model”.
Pratap Bajwa while talking to the media said, "Seechewal saab is not an engineer. During our (government’s time) also, some works were carried out by Seechewal and then a report was submitted that Seechewal’s model is a completely failed model. Seechewal saab says if some work has to be done then my people will carry out that work. It’s a failed model."
Despite the uproar, Bajwa refused to apologise for his remarks. He said that he stands by what he said.
Ultimately, the Punjab Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution censuring Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa for his remarks against environmentalist and Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. The resolution received support from SAD MLA Manpreet Ayali and suspended Congress MLA Sandeep Jakhar.
Nakodar MLA Indra Kaur said in the House that she has objection to the presence of Pratap Singh Bajwa and his statement. She alleged that Bajwa had given a wrong statement about Sant Seechewal and he should apologize for this. "A judge of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had said on the occasion of 2025 World Water Day that the Seechewal model should be adopted," said the Nakodar MLA.
On this, the Speaker said that there can be objections to someone's statement, but his presence cannot be questioned.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that his sentiments were hurt by Bajwa's statement. He said that Sant Seechewal has cleaned the 160-kilometer-long Kali Bei River. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam also came to see his work and praised it. Time Magazine has also praised his work and he has been awarded the 'Padma Shri' award."