Members of the Valmiki community staged a protest on Saturday at Ghanta Ghar Chowk here over “objectionable” remarks by Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and sought an apology.
Speaking to the media on May 26, Bittu allegedly used objectionable language and a casteist slur against police officials while directing insulting comments towards the community. Office-bearers of various organisations said the minister’s comments had caused widespread outrage. “A person holding such a responsible position can’t be expected to use this kind of language. He has hurt the sentiments of our community, which will not be tolerated,” they said.
The protesters burnt an effigy and raised slogans. Traffic also came to a standstill for a while in the busy area. The local police deployed heavy security to maintain law and order. The protesters demanded Bittu visits Valmiki’s shrine at Ram Tirath in Amritsar, bows his head, and tenders a written and public apology.
They warned if the minister failed to apologise, they would initiate legal proceedings for “hurting religious sentiments.”
