Final Monsoon Session of AAP Government Expected to See Political and Religious Issues Dominate

The Punjab Legislative Assembly's Monsoon Session begins on Monday and is expected to be marked by discussions on recent developments in Sikh politics along with several major public issues. The week-long session is the final Monsoon Session of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's current term. The possibility of introducing amendments to the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act has diminished after the Akal Takht constituted a committee of Sikh religious and legal experts last week to examine the matter. The formation of the committee is expected to provide some relief to the Punjab government, as it will hold discussions with the state government over the next two months in an effort to reach a consensus. However, opposition parties are expected to raise the issue in the Assembly, considering its political and religious significance in Punjab. Last week, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj directed all Sikh MLAs not to address or look towards Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during Assembly proceedings after declaring him a "Panth Dokhi." It remains to be seen how Sikh legislators implement these directions during the session. Opposition legislators have also prepared their strategy regarding the matter. The Akal Takht had earlier urged Sikh MLAs to press for ten amendments to the Act. The Punjab government has agreed to replace the word "Saroop" with "Bir" in the legislation. However, the opposition is likely to question the government's decision not to accept several other recommendations and is preparing to corner the ruling party on the issue. The opposition is also expected to raise the recent paper leak case in Faridkot, along with other examination paper leak incidents reported in the state in recent months. Apart from the paper leak controversy, the Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal are likely to target the government over Punjab's rising debt burden, deteriorating law and order, increasing crime, and the functioning of the police system. On the other hand, the ruling AAP government is expected to highlight its achievements over the past four-and-a-half years. It is likely to focus on reforms in the education sector, the Mawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, free healthcare services through government medical facilities, and the Meri Rasoi initiative as key accomplishments during the session.