ppcc-chief-warring-booked-for-casteist-remarks-on-buta-singh

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring has been booked by the cybercrime police in Kapurthala on the charges of making derogatory, caste-based remarks against former Union Home Minister Buta Singh, who belonged to the Mazhabi Sikh SC community.

 

A case under Section 353 and Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 3(1)(u) and 3(1)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 has been registered against Warring at the cybercrime police station in Kapurthala.

 

The action followed a complaint by Buta Singh’s son Sarabjot Singh Sidhu and nephew Joginder Singh Maan, a former minister. They stated in the FIR that while addressing a public gathering during the campaigning for the Tarn Taran bypoll, Warring used objectionable language while referring to Buta Singh’s caste and physical appearance.

 

They said Warring had commented that Buta Singh was made Union Home Minister “only because he was a black Mazhabi Sikh who worked in buffalo fodder feeding activities". Sidhu said the statement was socially demeaning, defamatory and aimed at humiliating not only his father’s legacy but the entire Mazhabi Sikh community. He said Warring had made the remarks in public, which had caused deep resentment among Scheduled Caste communities.

 

Sidhu said Warring’s comments amounted to body shaming, caste humiliation and promotion of hatred. He stated that the intent behind the statement was to create disrespect toward a marginalised community. “Such language reinforces caste-based discrimination and violates the Constitutional values of equality and dignity,” the complainants said.

 

The matter was placed before the Kapurthala SSP, who sought a legal review from the deputy district attorney. The prosecution advised that a prima facie offence was made out under relevant provisions of the law. Acting on the recommendation, the SSP directed the Cyber Crime Police to register a case.

 

Further investigations are on to verify the allegations and collect evidence, including video recordings, statements of witnesses and media reports on the alleged speech.

 

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