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PTC Web Desk:  Troubles have mounted for Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu after the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission summoned him over his alleged remarks concerning the Scheduled Caste (SC) community during the Punjab civic body elections held recently. The commission has asked Bittu to appear before it on June 4 and present his side in the matter.

The development comes despite the minister publicly apologising for his statement earlier.

Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said the commission came to know about the alleged use of caste-related remarks by Bittu during his visit to Dhuri through social media reports and viral videos.

Garhi said a report was sought from the Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), but the commission was not satisfied with the findings submitted by the police. “The commission has expressed disagreement with the report presented by the police,” he said.

Police officials from Sangrur appeared before the commission chairman during a short hearing that lasted around four minutes.

During the proceedings, the officer submitted documents related to the case. The chairman asked the officer about the details and findings of the matter.

The officer informed the commission that he had brought records related to the statement made by the Union minister. When the chairman asked about the police’s stand, the officer said all details were part of the written script and report.

Garhi reportedly responded that the “script had already been seen by the entire world.”

The police officer later played the audio clip of Bittu’s statement before the chairman and informed the commission that a fact-finding report had already been submitted.

The chairman also asked whether Bittu had submitted any written apology in the matter. The police officer replied that the minister had apologised to the Dalit community publicly.

However, the commission decided to summon Ravneet Singh Bittu personally on June 4 to present his version.

The controversy started on May 26 during voting for the municipal council elections in Dhuri, Sangrur district. During an argument with police personnel deployed on election duty, a police inspector identified himself as the son of a farmer. Bittu then allegedly interrupted and questioned whether people belonging to the Scheduled Caste community were “bad.” A video of the exchange soon went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism.

On May 30, several Valmiki and Dalit organisations staged protests at different places across Punjab against the minister’s remarks. Protesters also burnt effigies of Bittu and demanded registration of an FIR against him.

On May 31, Ravneet Singh Bittu publicly apologised for his remarks while speaking to reporters in Amritsar.

He said he folded his hands and bowed his head before members of the Scheduled Caste community whose sentiments had been hurt by his statement.

Bittu admitted that such words should not have been spoken by a person holding the office of a Union minister. He also said the atmosphere at the time was tense, but social harmony and brotherhood remained most important to him.

The minister further stated that if summoned by the Punjab SC Commission, he was ready to appear personally before the panel and submit an apology.