‘Nothing short of disgraceful’: Chandigarh Mayor to Kataria on four councillors, seek action

Babla said that their disruptive actions commenced with a sustained and aggressive protest and unruly scenes that lasted several hours

Written by Hina Rohatki

Chandigarh | October 5, 2025 10:53 PM IST

3 min read

Mayor Babla also mentioned that this premeditated and flagrant disrespect for established democratic procedures and the rules of the House cannot be tolerated (File Photo)

“Nothing short of disgraceful” — Mayor Harpreet Babla said while writing a letter to UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria seeking action against four councillors who created a ruckus in the House meeting recently.

In the letter, Mayor Babla said, “I write to you with profound disappointment and grave concern to formally apprise you of the events that transpired during the recent 353d Municipal Corporation’s General House Meeting held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The conduct of four specific councillors, namely Prem Lata (AAP), Jasbir Singh Bunty (Congress), Taruna Mehta (Congress), and Sachin Galav (Congress), was nothing short of disgraceful, constituting a calculated and pre-planned attempt to undermine the dignity and functioning of this esteemed democratic body.”

Babla said that their disruptive actions commenced with a sustained and aggressive protest and unruly scenes that lasted several hours, effectively stalling critical discussions on developmental agendas intended for the welfare of Chandigarh’s citizens.

The mayor mentioned that the four councillors escalated this protest into an act of unprecedented indecorum and disorderly conduct when they tore up official copies of the House minutes and physically threw the shredded papers onto the mayor’s dais, MC officials assisting the chair and also into the well of the House.

“Such an action is a direct and visible act of contempt against the Chair, the institution, and the official records of the Municipal Corporation. Furthermore, when the Chair was compelled to suspend the four councillors and call for marshals to restore order, discipline and decorum, they engaged in an alarming display of resistance,” she mentioned.

Babla also specified that “the resultant scuffle and chaotic confrontation involving the marshals and the councillors, including physical pushing, brought shame upon the House and eroded the dignity of the institution”.

The situation was exacerbated by Senior Deputy Mayor Jasbir Singh Bunty, who, during the ensuing pandemonium, attempted to usurp the authority of the Chair by holding a Parallel meeting in the Well of the House and assuming the role of Mayor while the session was adjourned indulging in mockery of democratic setup and esteem of the institution, she mentioned.

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“This deplorable act has not only profoundly undermined the value system of this august institution but has also severely shaken the confidence of the residents of Chandigarh in the democratic setup and functioning and their faith in the system. Prominent voices across the city have already raised serious concerns regarding this blatant disregard for decorum. It is, therefore, imperative that accountability is swiftly and firmly fixed to demonstrate a commitment to procedural integrity and to restore the esteem of the Municipal Corporation in the public eye,” she mentioned.

Babla also mentioned that this premeditated and flagrant disrespect for established democratic procedures and the rules of the House cannot be tolerated.

“I urge your esteemed office to take note of the same and strongest possible view of this incident to set an unequivocal precedent that such behaviour—-which amounts to hooliganism within the sacred precincts of the General House—will not be excused and faith of the residents of Chandigarh is restored in the democratic functioning of the Municipal Corporation,” she sought action on.Absolutely hooliganism: Chandigarh Mayor to Governor on four councillors, seek action

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