Assembly resonates with patriotic, cultural slogans during oath ceremony
Haryana Congress MLAs today brought their own unique expressions to the oath-taking ceremony at the Vidhan Sabha, with many chanting slogans supporting soldiers, farmers, and regional pride.
Leading the chorus was Congress MLA and wrestler Vinesh Phogat from Julana, who took her oath in an Indian jersey inspired by the Paris Olympics. After her swearing-in, the first-time MLA, aged 30, raised the slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Haryana” and added, “Khelte Khiladi, Ladte Naujawan, Zindabad” (long live the playing players and fighting youngsters). Phogat, known for her role in the Delhi wrestlers’ protest against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, made her legislative debut with a pledge to continue her fight. “I had said during the elections that whenever I enter the Vidhan Sabha, my fight will begin on that day. Till now, people have fought the battle; now it is my job to take up their fight… I am a player and want to remain a player,” she said.
Saini first to take oath
- CM Nayab Singh Saini was the first to take the oath, followed by Energy Minister Anil Vij
- Several young Congress MLAs greeted former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda by touching his feet, while some BJP members showed respect to the CM in a similar fashion
Cong MLA objects to ‘Acting Speaker’ term
- Before the oaths began, Rohtak Congress MLA BB Batra raised concerns about referring to Raghuvir Singh Kadian as an “Acting Speaker” rather than a “Pro-term Speaker,” calling it an insult. “From where have you brought the word ‘Acting Speaker’?” he asked. With former CM Hooda’s support, CM Nayab Singh Saini agreed to the correction
Other Congress MLAs followed with similar enthusiasm. Newly elected Kalayat MLA Vikas Saharan, aged 35, proclaimed, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Samvidhan” (hail the soldier, hail the farmer, hail the Constitution). Meham MLA Balram Dangi shouted, “Jai Meham, Jai Haryana,” while Sirsa’s Gokul Setia added “Inquilab Zindabad” (long live revolution) along with “Jai Hind, Jai Sirsa.”
More experienced Congress MLAs also raised spirited slogans. Two-time Baroda MLA Induraj Singh Narwal and Prithla’s Raghubir Singh Tewatia invoked “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” Sadhaura MLA Renu Bala added “Jai Samvidhan” and “Bhimrao Ambedkar Ki Jai” (hail Bhimrao Ambedkar), while two-time Naraingarh MLA Shalley Chaudhary ended her oath with a religious call of “Radhe Radhe.”
Representing the BJP, Yamunanagar MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora took his oath in Sanskrit, concluding with “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” (hail the soldier, hail the farmer, hail science, hail research), following a slogan evolution from former Prime Ministers Lal Bahadur Shastri and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and PM Narendra Modi in 2019. BJP Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Kumar Bedi, chief whip Ram Kumar Kashyap, and Rewari MLA Laxman Singh Yadav also opted for Sanskrit.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Mohd Ilyas from Punahana took his oath in Urdu but had to repeat it after initially omitting his name, an error pointed out by his colleagues. Hathin MLA Mohd Israil also used Urdu, while Congress MLAs Jarnail Singh (Ratia) and Shishpal Keharwala (Kalanwali) took their oaths in Punjabi.
BJP’s Women and Child Development Minister Shruti Choudhry was the only member to take her oath in English, along with Congress MLAs Mandeep Chatha (Pehowa), Aftab Ahmed (Nuh), BB Batra (Rohtak), and Akram Khan (Jagadhri). Arjun Chautala, a first-time MLA from Rania with the Indian National Lok Dal, also took his oath in English, dressed in a traditional dhoti and green turban. However, he nearly stumbled after his oath as his dhoti became entangled on the stairs.
