The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced the suspension of Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, the MLA from Maur, on Saturday due to alleged involvement in “anti-party activities.” This decision came shortly after he posted a heartfelt video on social media, criticizing the Punjab government for not addressing the teacher shortage in public schools, including those where his own children are enrolled. According to an investigation by The Indian Express earlier this year, Maiserkhana was noted as the only member of the 117-seat Punjab Assembly who sends both of his children to government schools.
The suspension was communicated through an order from AAP’s state general secretary, Harchand Singh Barsat, which stated: “It has come to our attention that you have engaged in activities against the party and exhibited indiscipline. Therefore, your primary membership in the party is suspended immediately.”
In his video, which was shared on Facebook, the first-time MLA expressed regret over his decision to enroll his children in government schools, as he feels their futures are jeopardized by the lack of teachers. He claimed that his attempts to bring this issue to the attention of senior party officials, including Manish Sisodia, who oversees Punjab affairs, were met with inaction. He expressed frustration over being told that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had attempted to contact him, but they never met. “How much longer will I endure? What have I done wrong?” he questioned, explaining that the indifference from party leaders compelled him to publicly voice his concerns.
Maiserkhana acknowledged that he may not receive a party ticket for future elections, yet he remains steadfast in his commitment to advocate for his constituents. “I am determined to continue speaking out for the people,” he asserted, hinting at the possibility of facing repercussions.
He emphasized his unique position as the sole MLA in the assembly whose children attend government schools. “My children are receiving an education where the children of 3 crore ordinary Punjabis also learn… that is why I am speaking out today as a father. The future of my children is endangered by the teacher shortage in these schools,” he said.
Challenging the government’s claims of an educational transformation, he pointed out that even the Schools of Eminence, which were established by the AAP government as exemplary institutions, are lacking in qualified teachers.
“I am exhausted from repeating the plea for teachers,” he lamented. “I reached out to Manish Sisodia to highlight that my children are in government schools that are understaffed. The Chief Minister did not meet with me. What wrong have I committed? I have always worked to improve the party, yet now I feel isolated and ignored. Why? Because I am advocating for the schools, for my children, and for all those parents who have chosen government education for their kids,” he stated.
Maiserkhana vowed to remain vocal about his concerns, challenging the government to “harm me, but not my children.”
“If nothing changes in our schools, how can we expect to earn the trust of voters? I am the only MLA in Punjab whose children are enrolled in government schools. If I don’t raise my voice, who will? Did I err in choosing a government school for my kids? I believe it was a significant mistake. You can arrest me, but I will continue to advocate for my children and for all those who attend government schools,” he asserted.
His son is currently enrolled in a School of Eminence, while his daughter attends another state-run institution.
In response to Maiserkhana’s comments, the BJP stated that his words have undermined the AAP’s narrative of an “education revolution” in Punjab. Similarly, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticized the ruling party, noting that even a sitting AAP MLA struggles to have his basic concerns addressed, such as school repairs and teacher appointments. “If an ‘Aam Aadmi’ MLA cannot secure a meeting with the Chief Minister, what does that imply for the average citizen seeking to be heard?” Randhawa questioned.
The investigation by The Indian Express highlighted that, during the 2025-26 academic year, 36 MLAs had children in school, with 31 from AAP, while others had opted for private education or institutions abroad.
Maiserkhana, who is a farmer by profession, won the Maur seat in Bathinda district in 2022 with a margin exceeding 35,000 votes.
When queried about his decision to enroll his children in government schools, he explained: “If we do not place our own children in these schools, how can we persuade others to do so? That is how a positive cycle begins. I inspired 50 more parents to follow suit.” He stated that his choice was driven by a desire to keep his children connected to their community and language while fostering public trust in government education. He transferred his son from a private convent school to a government institution during the COVID-19 pandemic, while his daughter was enrolled directly in a state school.
Divya Goyal is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Ludhiana, Punjab, and is well-known for her human-interest stories and thorough investigative reporting on social and political matters in the region.
Professional Profile
Experience: With more than 13 years in journalism, she joined The Indian Express in 2012 after working with Hindustan Times.
Education: She is a gold medalist in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi.
Core Beats: Goyal covers a variety of topics, including gender issues, education, the Sikh diaspora, heritage, and the legacy of the Partition. She has also reported on minority communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Awards and Recognition
Divya has received considerable recognition for her sensitivity toward gender and social disparities, including the Laadli Media Award (2020) for her investigative report “Punjab: The Invisible Drug Addicts,” which exposed gender inequalities in the treatment of women affected by addiction.
