Punjab SC panel directs Ravneet Bittu to offer prayers at four religious sites over controversial remarks
PTC Web Desk: Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu has been directed by the Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission to visit and pay respects at four prominent religious sites following a controversy over remarks allegedly made against police personnel during the Punjab civic elections earlier this year.
Bittu appeared before the commission in Chandigarh on Wednesday, where he presented his explanation regarding the incident. After hearing his submission, commission chairman Jasbir Singh Garhi instructed the Union Minister to offer prayers and seek blessings at four locations: Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Dera Braham dDass in Phillaur, Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Dera at Ram Tirath in Amritsar and Dera Ballan.
During the proceedings, Bittu, through his legal representatives, acknowledged that the language used by him during the incident was inappropriate. He stated that he had already issued a public apology and had also removed the controversial video from his social media account.
Explaining the circumstances that led to the episode, Bittu said he was attempting to locate BJP leader Omkar Singh, who had been taken into police custody on the day of polling during the Punjab municipal elections. According to him, a senior police officially initially informed him that Omkar Singh was being held at Ballia police station. Upon reaching there, he was told that the BJP leader had been moved to Sangrur.
Bittu further claimed that when he travelled to Sangrur, police officials again redirected him, stating that Omkar Singh was in Dhuri. He alleged that upon reaching Dhuri, a Station House Officer blocked his vehicle and that he was subjected to disrespectful behaviour and remarks that deeply upset him.
The Union Minister told the commission that the tense situation and the conduct of the police personnel left him emotionally distressed. He admitted that if any objectionable words were spoken by him in the heat of the moment, he had already apologised publicly for them.
After considering the written submission and oral explanation, Jasbir Singh Garhi said the commission had accepted Bittu’s written undertaking. He added that the visits to the four religious sites would serve as a gesture of respect and reconciliation.
- PTC NEWS
