Differences may be political, but the dignity of the legal fraternity must stay above politics, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association has said. It has condemned remarks allegedly made by Sukhpal Singh Khaira against Punjab’s law officers and asked him to withdraw them and apologise. The remarks are attributed to him in a video; no response from him has been reported.
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Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association has “strongly condemned” the language allegedly used by Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira against law officers in the Office of the Advocate General, Punjab, and has called on him to withdraw the remarks and tender an apology [Statement of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association].
The statement was issued on behalf of Association President Rohit Sud and its Executive Committee.
The alleged remark
According to the report, a video carrying the expression “Bhade de Tattu ne eh Sarkari Vakil” has been widely circulated on WhatsApp and Facebook and has been reported in parts of the press. The phrase loosely translates as “these government lawyers are hired nags”. LawChakra has not independently verified the video, and the remark is reported here as an allegation.
The matter came to the Association’s notice through a representation from law officers in the Advocate General’s office, Punjab.
What the Association said
The Association said it was unfortunate that such expressions were being attributed to a senior political leader holding a responsible public position. It added:
“Our differences may be political, but respect for the dignity of the legal fraternity must always remain above politics.”
It said law officers are “not merely government representatives but, first and foremost, esteemed members of the legal fraternity”, and deserve the same respect as any other member of the Bar.
Criticism of government, within limits
The Association accepted that political disagreement and criticism of the functioning of governments are essential to democracy. It said, however, that such criticism “should always remain within the boundaries of dignity, mutual respect and parliamentary language”, particularly when it is directed at members of the legal profession.
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Where matters stand
No response from Khaira or the Punjab government has been reported so far, and no court proceeding relating to the remarks has been mentioned. LawChakra expresses no view on the remarks or on the Association’s demand; both sides’ positions will be added if they are put on record.
Case Details: Statement of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, issued by President Rohit Sud and the Executive Committee | Subject: remarks allegedly made by Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira against law officers in the Office of the Advocate General, Punjab | Demand: withdrawal of the remarks and an apology | Status: Statement issued 8 October 2026; no response reported. The remarks are alleged and have not been independently verified.