PHAGWARA: The All India Ranghreta Dal on Sunday warned that it would launch a sharp and widespread agitation across Punjab if state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is not arrested within a week for allegedly making a caste-based remark against former Union Home Minister the late Buta Singh during the Tarn Taran by-election campaign.
The warning was issued during an emergency meeting convened at the Phagwara residence of the organisation’s national president and former Punjab minister Joginder Singh Mann. The meeting saw the participation of state president Joginder Singh Tiger, members of the state committee, and presidents of various district units.
Addressing the gathering, Joginder Singh Mann — nephew of the late Buta Singh — strongly condemned Raja Warring’s alleged remarks, calling them “deeply objectionable” and “an insult to a highly educated, respectable and senior Scheduled Caste leader within his own party.” Mann expressed disappointment that despite the seriousness of the issue, no arrest had been made so far.
AAP state spokesperson and Phagwara constituency in-charge Harnur Singh (Harji) Mann, who was also present, assured Ranghreta Dal leaders that the arrest of Raja Warring would be ensured. He said such derogatory statements against the Mazhabi Sikh and Valmiki communities could not be tolerated and must be dealt with strictly to prevent their recurrence.
The meeting also deliberated on various challenges faced by the Mazhabi Sikh and Valmiki communities. Harji Mann assured the gathering that he would facilitate the resolution of issues related to the police, civil administration, and the state government.
Among those present at the meeting were Paramjit Singh Moga, Rashpal Singh Pathankot, Major Singh Lambi, Mahinder Singh Kapurthala, Jagtar Singh Dhanola, Prem Singh, Mansa Singh Ferozepur, Jasvir Singh Sabbarwal, Boota Singh, Rashpal Singh Kotkapura, Advocate Ramesh Singh Kotkapura, Roop Singh Bathinda, Major Singh Muktsar, Sarabjit Kaur Kotkapura, Amarjit Singh Daulevan, Dharmveer Sethi, Baljinder Singh, Dr. Niranjan Singh Shahkot, Baba Manpreet Singh, and several other representatives of the organisation.