House condemns Punjab MLA's 'stray dog' remarks
Letter of condemnation to be sent to Punjab Speaker
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 06 2012:
Denouncing the remarks made by Punjab MLA Ajit Inder Singh Mofar of Congress party for sending stray dogs roaming the streets to North East states as unparliamentarily and communal, the State Assembly today resolved to send a letter of condemnation to the Speaker of Punjab Assembly in this regard.
The Punjab MLA made the controversial remarks while moving for a resolution to solve the problem of stray dogs in Punjab during an Assembly session of that state recently.
Raising a calling attention on the derogatory remark in the State Assembly session today, Opposition MLA I Ibohalbi said that he has been compelled to raise the issue for discussion in the House in due consideration of the hurt sentiments of the people.
So, it would be appropriate for the House to take a resolution and dispatch the same to the Speaker of Punjab Assembly so as to make the MLA in question realizes his misconduct.
Apart from the condemnations pouring through media, the remarks of Punjab MLA Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, have been decried by many animal rights activists including Maneka Gandhi who said it was derogatory to the people of the North East, Dr Ibohalbi reminded the House.
What was the response of the Speaker of Punjab Assembly to such derogatory remarks by MLA Ajit Inder Singh Mofar in the House is also not known.
So, the Central Government not remains quite over the issue and an inquiry must be initiated, Dr Ibohalbi added, while proposing that the copy of letter of condemnation should also be send to Speakers and Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories of India.
Such derogatory remarks have only reaffirmed the discriminatory attitude of mainland India towards the people of North East, Dr Ibohalbi lamented.
Responding to the calling attention motion, Home Minister Gaikhangam, who is also the President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), admitted that remark made by the Punjab MLA was undignified and condemnable.
Such unparliamentarily remark from an elected member is unfortunate.
So, instead of going into the details of the matter, it would be appropriate to raise the issue directly with Punjab Government, Gaikhangam observed.
Participating in the discussion, MLA Samuel Risom noted that the letter of condemnation should be forwarded by the State Assembly Speaker to his Punjab counterpart.
Later on, the State Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to condemn the remark of Punjab MLA.
Speaker Th Lokeshore also assured the House that a letter of condemnation would be drafted and dispatch at the earliest possible.