Chandigarh, June 24 (IANS). Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, who was summoned by the Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission in connection with making caste-related remarks against policemen, appeared before the commission on Wednesday and submitted a written apology.
Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi asked him to visit four places belonging to the Scheduled Caste community and pay obeisance. Giving his stand on the incident, Ravneet Singh said that “he is committed to respecting the Scheduled Caste community and deeply regrets his unintentional words.”
He also submitted a written apology to the commission. In his apology, Ravneet Singh admitted that the words he used were legally wrong and said that he has also removed the controversial video.
The dispute took place during voting for the municipal council elections in Dhuri town of Sangrur district. Ravneet Singh had argued with the police officers while protesting against the arrest of the BJP leader. When the controversy escalated, it is alleged that he made objectionable and caste-related comments about policemen and the Scheduled Caste community.
Videos of the incident went viral on social media, following which the Commission took suo motu cognizance of the matter, sought a report from the police and summoned Ravneet Singh to appear in person.
Earlier, Ravneet Singh’s side was presented by his lawyers during two hearings before the Commission. However, taking a tough stand, the Commission directed him to appear in person. The Commission found that the words of Ravneet Singh and the circumstances surrounding the removal of the video have hurt the sentiments of the society and may lead to deterioration of communal harmony in Punjab.
Keeping in mind the larger interest of maintaining social harmony in future, the Commission directed Ravneet Singh to visit four religious places and pay obeisance. These sites are – Dera Baba Brahmadas (a place associated with the life of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar), Dera Sant Sarwan Das Sachkhand Ballan (associated with Guru Ravidas Maharaj), Bhagwan Valmiki Teerth Sthal and Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.
The Commission, as part of its instructions in the matter, ordered him to visit these religious places and pay respects.
–IANS
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