ontroversial Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann on Monday took oath in the name of Constitution, but soon after the SAD (Amritsar) president raised the demand for a separate country for Sikhs.
Mann met Speaker Om Birla in his chamber and took oath at the Speaker’s office.
Taking oath in Punjabi, Mann said, “I affirm the faith in the Indian Constitution. ‘’ Three other new members were administered the oath in the Lok Sabha chamber.
Maan had resigned as an MP in 1990 for being denied an entry with his kripan, but on Monday he agreed to leave it outside after he was stopped from carrying it.
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Soon after oath in LS, Simranjit Mann demands
‘Khalistan’
Mann is always seen carrying a 3-foot-long kirpan across his shoulders, whereas Sikh Parliamentarians are allowed to carry only 9 inches long kirpan as per security protocols of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Mann said he requested the Speaker to make him a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs and Defence.
Talking to reporters after coming out of Parliament, Mann said he continues to support the issue of Khalistan. “There should be a separate country for Sikhs. And Khalistan would act as a buffer State between two nuclear nations--India and Pakistan,” he said. Asked why he is talking about a separate Sikh country while also pledging to protect the integrity of India, he said, “You are trying to corner me over this, but what would you say about what is happening in the Ladakh region? What is China doing there?”
Mann also defended his controversial remarks on Bhagat Singh. “Bhagat Singh had killed a young, English naval officer. He had killed an Amritdhari Sikh constable. What would you call a person who hurled a bomb on Parliament? Tell me what would you call him?”
Mann won the by-election for Sangrur, a seat vacated by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.