Chandigarh (Punjab): A heated war of words erupted in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s address, after a controversial exchange over the phrase “abhi to 12 hi baje hain” sparked an uproar between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Opposition.
The situation escalated quickly when Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, interrupted CM Mann’s speech with loud objections. In response, CM Mann said, “Bajwa sahab, don’t worry, you’ll get your turn to speak. It’s only 12 o’clock now, the day is still long.”
While seemingly innocuous, the reference to “12 o’clock” triggered sharp retaliation from Bajwa, who snapped back, “It might be 12 o’clock for you, not for us.”
The remark quickly turned into a full-blown controversy, with several members of the ruling party accusing Bajwa of hurting religious sentiments, alleging that his tone and response insulted a particular community.
Tensions Boil Over in Assembly
Following the exchange, several MLAs from the AAP rose to their feet, accusing Bajwa of making a culturally insensitive and communal comment. The slogan “12 baje” has, in the past, been controversially used to mock the Sikh community, and references to it in public discourse often invite backlash.
AAP MLAs claimed that Bajwa’s comeback was loaded with religious undertones, and demanded an immediate clarification or apology. The Opposition benches, meanwhile, defended Bajwa, stating that his words were being twisted out of context.
The Speaker of the House struggled to bring order as shouting matches erupted on both sides. CM Mann, visibly angered, said:
“The problem is not with what time it is. The problem is that these people can’t tolerate a common man sitting on the CM’s chair. They are uncomfortable with a government that talks about schools and hospitals instead of power games.”
CM Mann Accuses Congress of Decades of Drama
Seizing the moment, CM Mann launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing them of staging “drama” in Punjab for over 60 years. He said:
“The same Congress that failed to deliver basic amenities is now pretending to be the guardian of Punjab’s integrity. They couldn’t provide education, jobs, or justice when they were in power. But now they can’t handle that someone else is actually doing the work.”
Mann reiterated that the AAP government is committed to governance and transparency, unlike previous regimes that thrived on dynastic politics and slogans.
Congress Pushes Back, Claims Mistranslation
Congress leaders, including Bajwa, denied the allegations of communal intent. They stated that “12 o’clock” is a common phrase used to refer to timing and urgency, and that religious color is being unnecessarily added to divert attention from important legislative matters.
Bajwa said, “I simply said that it’s not 12 o’clock for us, meaning our time is not up. This is being misinterpreted deliberately. The government doesn’t want to talk about real issues, so it’s politicizing words.”
He also questioned the government on pending issues like the Jalandhar Sports University, employment generation, and farmer compensation, asking why these discussions were being ignored in the session.
Political Analysts React
Political experts say that such verbal duels are not new to the Punjab Assembly, but the “12 baje” controversy touches a sensitive nerve in Sikh history and public memory. The phrase, though often joked about, has origins in colonial narratives used to demean Sikhs and therefore remains deeply offensive to many.
Analyst Dr. Harpreet Singh from Panjab University noted:
“Such phrases have historical baggage. While the CM may have used it casually, the response from the Opposition could’ve been more measured. But the incident highlights how easily political discourse in Punjab becomes emotionally and communally charged.”
Speaker to Review Remarks
The Speaker of the Punjab Assembly later stated that the entire exchange would be reviewed in the House records, and any comments found objectionable would be expunged. He urged all members to maintain decorum and sensitivity during debates.
Opposition Walks Out
As the shouting continued, several members of the Opposition staged a walkout, accusing the ruling party of bulldozing dissent and deflecting from governance failures.
Meanwhile, the AAP government continued its legislative business, with CM Mann wrapping up his speech amid applause from party MLAs.
Summary of Key Developments:
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CM Mann vs Bajwa face-off over “12 baje” remark sparks Assembly chaos
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AAP accuses Bajwa of hurting religious sentiments
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Bajwa claims his words were misinterpreted
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CM Mann accuses Congress of 60 years of failed governance
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Speaker to review House records, possibly expunge remarks
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Opposition stages walkout over issue escalation
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Analysts warn against casual use of communal phrases in public forums
