Chandigarh, June 24 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, who was summoned by the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission regarding casteist remarks against police personnel, on Wednesday appeared before the commission here and submitted a written apology.

The commission’s Chairman, Jasvir Singh Garhi, asked him to pay obeisance at four places associated with the Scheduled Caste community. Clarifying his position regarding the incident, Ravneet Singh stated that “he is committed to respecting the Scheduled Caste community and deeply regrets the words that were uttered unintentionally”.

He also submitted a written apology to the commission. In his apology letter, Ravneet Singh 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. Ravneet Singh 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 commission took suo motu notice of the matter, sought a report from the police and summoned Ravneet Singh to appear personally before it.

Earlier, Ravneet Singh had been represented through his lawyers during two 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 Ravneet Singh 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 Ravneet Singh to pay obeisance at four religious places. They are 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 in Amritsar.

The commission ordered him to visit these religious places and pay his respects as part of its directions in the matter.

–IANS

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