Chandigarh, June 24
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, who had been summoned by Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi in connection with the Dhuri incident, appeared before the Commission in Chandigarh today.
Chairman of the Commission gave Ravneet Singh Bittu a full opportunity to present his side. Clarifying his position regarding the Dhuri incident, Bittu stated that he is committed to respecting the Scheduled Caste community and deeply regrets the words that were uttered unintentionally.
Bittu also submitted a written apology to the Commission. In his apology letter, Bittu acknowledged that the words he had used were legally wrong and stated that he had also deleted the controversial video.
The controversy had arisen during voting for the Municipal Council elections in Dhuri town of Sangrur district. Bittu had engaged in an argument with police officials while protesting the arrest of a BJP leader. As the dispute escalated, he allegedly used objectionable and caste-related remarks concerning police personnel and the Scheduled Caste community. Videos of the incident went viral on social media, following which the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission took suo motu notice of the matter, sought a report from the Sangrur Police, and summoned Bittu to appear personally before it.
Earlier, Bittu had been represented through his lawyers during two previous hearings before the Commission. However, taking a strict stance, the Commission directed him to appear in person. The Commission observed that the words used by Bittu and the circumstances surrounding the deletion of the video had hurt the sentiments of society and could potentially disrupt communal harmony in Punjab.
Keeping in view the larger interest of maintaining social harmony in the future, the Commission directed Bittu to pay obeisance at four religious places associated with the Scheduled Caste community in Punjab. Dera Baba Brahmdas, a site associated with the life of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Dera Sant Sarwan Dass Sachkhand Ballan, associated with Guru Ravidas Maharaj, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal and Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar Sahib. The Commission ordered him to visit these religious places and pay his respects as part of its directions in the matter.