Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Sikh prisoners: ‘For peace in Punjab, Hindu-Sikh unity, will take all right steps’

Bittu was responding to a query during a press conference on his stance on demand of release of ‘Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners).

In a recent interview with a newspaper after he was inducted as MoS in Union Cabinet, Bittu, in a departure from his earlier stance, said that Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentence should be released and that he would not oppose if Centre had any plans to release Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in assassination of Bittu’s grandfather and former Punjab CM Beant Singh, or any other Sikh prisoner. Bittu said he had discussed the issue with the family and it was time to move on for peace in Punjab.

Responding to similar question on ‘Bandi Singhs’, state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said, “Everybody is equal in front of law and should get their due right as per the legal procedure”.

Earlier, Jakhar while commenting on party’s performance in Punjab in the Lok Sabha polls said, “BJP performed better but better is not enough. Better was not target. The target was to make the BJP successful in Punjab. We have to succeed”.

The BJP could not win any of 13 Lok Sabha seats during the 2024 general elections in Punjab. However, the vote share of the BJP, which went solo in the elections, doubled to 18.56 per cent, as compared to 9.63 per cent in 2019.

However, he expressed gratitude to the party office-bearers and workers for their efforts in the elections.

“Though we did not get success, the people gave immense response to the BJP,” he said.

He said it was matter of worry that BJP did not do well in its traditional seats of Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur.

Underlining that “people’s trust in BJP in Punjab has lent greater responsibility to the party”, Jakhar said the party “will play the role of true opposition to expose the illegal nexus between AAP and Congress.” He also also alleged that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) “sacrificed” its candidates in 12 parliamentary constituencies in order to save only one seat (Bathinda).

Replying to a question, Jakhar said he came to know through media that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will camp in Jalandhar for some days in the wake of the bypoll to Jalandhar West assembly segment on July 10. “The CM is not going to ensure his party’s victory. He is going there to save his ‘chief ministership’,” said Jakhar.

Referring to the BJP giving ministerial position to Bittu, Jakhar said it reflects the party’s focus on Punjab. He said Bittu will be raising Punjab’s burning issues at the Centre for their redressal.

On this occasion, Jakhar handed over a memorandum to Bittu pertaining to the state’s rice mill sector.

He said rice, which was lying with the rice millers, was not being lifted. It is putting a financial burden on the millers and the crop is getting damaged, he said.

Jakhar asked Bittu to take up this issue with the Union consumer affairs minister for its redressal. The Centre will resolve the farmers’ genuine issues, Jakhar replied to another question.

To a question on the Rajpura to Chandigarh rail track, Bittu said this project is on the priority of the railways and will also speak to the Punjab chief minister in this regard.