Former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar visits Sant Ravidas temple, apologises for ‘anti-SC’ comment

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Amid the continued controversy over his ‘anti-SC’ comment, former Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday paid obeisance at Sant Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir at Varanasi and tendered an unconditional apology. The grand previous get together had additionally issued him a show-cause discover on this regard to which he didn’t reply.

Standing earlier than the Sant Ravidas idol within the temple with folded fingers, Jakhar clarified that he has all the time labored exhausting for the individuals and continues to take action. “I have never used any objectionable language against the SC community. If the people of the society have been hurt or sentiments have been hurt by any of our words, then for that I have come to bow down in the court of the saint. It is a matter of happiness that today I had the privilege of paying obeisance at the birthplace of Sant Shiromani Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj,” he added.

When contacted, Jakhar stated, “I had yesterday gone to the temple in Varanasi to clear any ambiguity as I have always stood by the downtrodden and this has been my endeavour all my life. I did not make any statement against the SC community as my remarks were put out of context but still I feel sorry and went to the temple to bow down my head.”

The disciplinary committee of the grand previous get together had issued a show-cause discover to Jakhar on April 11 and given him every week’s time to answer. But he didn’t reply and is more likely to face motion. He was given the discover for remarks on the Punjab election eve which didn’t identify anybody however had been seen to be geared toward former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. After the get together’s ballot debacle in Punjab, Jakhar had described Channi as a legal responsibility for the Congress in Punjab.

Earlier, Jakhar had stated that the committee which had served the discover was nicely inside its rights to do what it deemed match. “I have not replied to the notice. That is a fact. Whatever the committee does, they are well within their rights. They have given a notice and it is up to them to take whatever decision they want to take,” Jakhar had then stated.

Following a grievance, the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes (NCSC) additionally requested the Jalandhar police commissioner to look into the matter. Effigies of Jakhar had been burnt throughout the state and his personal get together leaders hit out at him.