Punjab SC panel issues another notice to Congress over Bhai Jaita ji photo row in Tarn Taran bypoll
PTC Web Desk: The controversy surrounding the use of Bhai Jaita’ Jis (Bhai Jeewan Singh) image alongside Congress leaders’ photos during a rally for the Tarn Taran byelection continues to escalate. The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has issued a second notice to the Congress on the issue.
Commission chairman Jasbir Singh Garhi has directed Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa to appear personally on November 10, and the Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner on November 17. Earlier, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was also served a similar notice in connection with the same issue.
The commission has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter under Section 10(2)(h) of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Act, 2004, following allegations that the images of Bhai Jeewan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) and the Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, were used in a disrespectful and politically motivated manner during the Tarn Taran bypoll campaign.
The commission warned that failure to respond within the stipulated time would compel it to invoke its civil court-like powers under Section 10(1) of the same Act.
Notice to Tarn Taran DC
The notice addressed to the Deputy Commissioner stated that the matter regarding the “disrespectful use” of sacred images during the Tarn Taran Assembly byelection rally has been fixed for hearing on November 17.
Copies of news reports, photographs from the rally stage, and images from Partap Singh Bajwa’s official Facebook page have been attached for reference.
The commission directed the Deputy Commissioner to submit a detailed report and factual information through the officer concerned under the Model Code of Conduct and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, in two copies (one original and one photocopy), by the scheduled date. The notice further warned that non-compliance would result in the commission exercising its civil court powers under Section 10(1) of the 2004 Act and instructed that the matter be treated with “top priority.”
Earlier notice to Raja Warring
Earlier, Garhi had also issued a notice to Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring for remarks made about former Union Home Minister Boota Singh, which were found objectionable. On November 6, Warring’s lawyer appeared before the commission, stating that the Congress leader would appear personally only after the conclusion of the Tarn Taran byelection.
Earlier, the commission had also summoned the Returning Officer of Tarn Taran district during the election period over the same issue. However, the state Election Officer raised objections, stating that election officials could not be summoned during the ongoing poll process. Consequently, the commission has now rescheduled the officer’s appearance for November 17.
- PTC NEWS
