Punjab: Governor Reserves 'Controversial' Bills For President's Consideration As Tensions With AAP Government Continue

In the continuing disagreement between Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the AAP-led government, three Bills passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in June have been reserved by the Governor for the consideration of President Droupadi Murmu, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The contentious Bills include the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to ensure free-to-air telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple by amending the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, preventing commercialisation.

The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to replace the governor with the chief minister as chancellor of 11 state-run universities.

And finally, The Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023, intends to change the Supreme Court-mandated procedure for selecting state police chiefs.

The move comes after the Supreme Court declared the 19-20 June session, during which the Bills were passed, as constitutionally valid, urging the governor to expedite decisions on the pending Bills.

The apex court had also emphasised that governors cannot indefinitely delay Bills, holding both the governor and state government accountable for their actions.

The exchange of letters between Mann and Purohit, and the Supreme Court's directive, have intensified the political standoff, highlighting the constitutional challenges and power dynamics at play in the state.