Punjab SC panel summons Union Minister Ravneet Bittu over casteist remarks
Synopsis
The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has rejected a police inquiry and directly summoned Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu to appear on 4 June — a rare move against a sitting central minister. The case stems from a viral video of a charged confrontation during Sangrur's civic polls, and Bittu's public apology has not been enough to close the matter.
Key Takeaways
The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has summoned Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu to appear on 4 June over alleged casteist remarks.
Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said the panel rejected the inquiry report submitted by the SSP, Sangrur .
The incident occurred on 26 May during a confrontation with police at Dhuri town amid Sangrur civic body elections.
Bittu apologised in Amritsar , saying remarks were taken out of context and he sought forgiveness for his 'misjudgment'.
The confrontation was triggered after police detained BJP leader Onkar Singh during the mandatory silent period.
The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has summoned Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu to appear before it on 4 June and submit his reply in connection with allegations that he used casteist remarks during a visit to Dhuri town in Sangrur district. The summons follows the commission's rejection of a police inquiry report and comes a day after the minister publicly apologised for what he called a 'misjudgment'.
How the Commission Got Involved
Jasvir Singh Garhi, Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, said on Monday, 1 June that the matter came to his attention through a video circulating on social media. The clip showed a tense exchange between Bittu and senior police officers — including Senior Superintendent of Police Ravjot Grewal and Superintendent of Police Rajesh Chibber — during the recently concluded civic body elections in Sangrur.
The commission had initially sought a report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Sangrur, but expressed disagreement with the findings submitted by the police, prompting the direct summons to the minister.
What the Minister Said
Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Bittu said his remarks were made on 26 May during a heated confrontation and had been taken out of context. 'I never intended to belittle any Scheduled Caste, OBC, Hindu, Sikh or any other community. The atmosphere during the incident was extremely charged, with tensions running high between the police and others present. Deliberately or otherwise, only certain portions of the exchange received attention,' he said.
The minister added that he sought forgiveness for his 'misjudgment' and also extended an apology to social organisations, NGOs, deras, and religious leaders who may have been offended by his remarks.
Background: What Triggered the Confrontation
The incident reportedly escalated after police detained BJP leader Onkar Singh — a former officer on special duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann — for allegedly campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the mandatory silent period ahead of the civic polls. Bittu's intervention during that detention led to the heated exchange that was captured on video and subsequently went viral.
What Happens Next
Bittu is required to present his reply before the commission on 4 June. The commission's decision to reject the police report and directly summon a Union Minister signals an assertive stance on accountability. Depending on the minister's response, the panel may recommend further action to the state government or escalate the matter to higher authorities.
Point of View
Not merely incomplete. Bittu's apology, while swift, was framed carefully around intent rather than the words themselves, a distinction the commission is unlikely to overlook. This case also exposes the friction between central BJP figures and the AAP-led Punjab Police that played out visibly during the Sangrur polls. Whether the commission has the teeth to enforce accountability against a sitting Union Minister will be the real test of its institutional credibility.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission summoned Ravneet Singh Bittu?
The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission summoned Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu to appear on 4 June after a video allegedly showing him using casteist remarks during a visit to Dhuri town in Sangrur went viral. The commission also rejected a police inquiry report on the incident before issuing the summons.
When and where did the alleged incident take place?
The incident occurred on 26 May in Dhuri town, Sangrur district, during the civic body elections. It involved a heated confrontation between Bittu and Punjab Police officers, including SSP Ravjot Grewal and SP Rajesh Chibber.
Has Ravneet Singh Bittu apologised for the remarks?
Yes. Bittu publicly apologised in Amritsar, saying his remarks were taken out of context and that he never intended to hurt any community. He described the comments as a 'misjudgment' and also apologised to social organisations, NGOs, deras, and religious leaders.
What triggered the confrontation between Bittu and the Punjab Police?
The confrontation reportedly began after police detained BJP leader Onkar Singh — a former officer on special duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann — for allegedly campaigning for the BJP during the mandatory silent period before the civic polls. Bittu's intervention escalated into the exchange captured on video.
What action can the Punjab SC Commission take against the minister?
The commission can hear Bittu's reply on 4 June and, depending on the response, recommend further action to the state government or refer the matter to higher authorities. Its ability to enforce consequences against a sitting Union Minister, however, is subject to legal and constitutional limits.
