SAD, Congress tear into AAP cabinet minister for ‘casteist remarks’ at poll rally
Akali Dal lodges plaint with CEO; Cong urges CM to sack 'racist minister'
3 min read
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. (Express file photo by Gurmeet Singh)Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar is at the centre of controversy for his alleged casteist remarks against former Congress MLA Harminder Singh Gill during an election rally in Patti (Tarn Taran) recently and also for issuing a ‘half-hearted apology’ later over the comments in a video. The opposition parties – the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) – have torn into the minister and his ‘apology video’.
The SAD has lodged a complaint with the Punjab chief electoral officer (CEO) against Bhullar levelling allegations of misconduct on his (minister) part for making casteist comments, which, according to them (SAD), is a serious violation of model code of conduct. The party has demanded immediate registration of FIR and arrest of the minister.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to “immediately sack this racist minister”.
Bhullar, the AAP candidate from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, in his “apology video” is apparently seen almost justifying his behaviour. In the clip, he is heard saying that he had come under the sway of emotions while making the comments against Gill. While he apologised to the communities at the receiving end of his comments, he did not apologise to the Congress MLA (Gill). Bhullar can be purportedly seen demeaning two castes in the election rally video, showing Gill in a bad light.
“All the comments I made in the rally were for former Congress MLA Harminder Singh Gill, and nothing against the communities. The members of the communities are like family to me. Whatever I said was only for Gill. If any of my brothers or community members felt hurt because of my comments, I apologise. For the last one year Gill has been speaking ill of my children and family. Those comments, which I made, came under the sway of emotions. All SC, BC and General Category communities are my brothers. If anyone is hurt, I sincerely apologise. We all should leave it here,” said Bhullar.
“This uncouth @AamAadmiParty Minister Laljit Bhullar is boldly promoting racism by claiming himself to be a superior human while humiliating backward classes like Ramgarhia Sikhs! I’m not sure if @Sandhwan Speaker who claims the legacy of Giani Zail Singh will feel humiliated by words used by Bhullar or not but I’m sure all secular right thinking people will consider his remarks atrocious, derogatory & highly deplorable. I urge @BhagwantMann to immediately sack this racist Minister,” posted Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira on X.
SAD legal cell chief Arshdeep Singh Kalra said that a complaint has been lodged with the Punjab CEO against Bhullar, demanding immediate FIR registration and his arrest. Kalra alleged that the minister’s action was criminal and highly condemnable, and it has shown the government’s true colours to the public.
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