Punjab Congress Chief Raja Warring Faces Legal Action for Alleged Casteist Remarks Against Late Buta Singh

Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has offered an unconditional apology for his alleged remarks. (File)

Kapurthala Police have filed an FIR against Punjab Congress President and MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring for allegedly making derogatory and casteist remarks about former Union Home Minister Late Buta Singh.

The case was registered following a complaint from Sarabjot Singh Sidhu, son of Late Buta Singh, under various sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, along with Sections 353 and 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

According to the complaint, Raja Warring allegedly made these offensive remarks while addressing a public gathering during the Tarn Taran bye-election campaign.

The complainant stated that the remarks were highly offensive, casteist, and defamatory, targeting both the late leader and the entire Mazhabi Sikh community. He claimed that expressions such as "Kala Mazhabi Sikh" and "Black Sikh" were deliberately used to humiliate members of the Scheduled Caste community in public view.

Police sources confirmed that the complaint alleges Warring's remarks caused emotional distress and public outrage, potentially disrupting communal harmony throughout Punjab.

Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the allegations, with further investigation underway.

Raja Warring has since offered an unconditional apology for his alleged remarks.

On social media platform X, he posted: "Deeply respectful of the late Sardar Buta Singh ji, who was like a father figure to me. I reiterate that I meant no disrespect to him. If my words caused any unintended hurt, I offer my sincerest and unconditional apologies."

Earlier on Sunday, the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission took suo motu notice of the allegedly offensive language used. Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi mentioned that the matter came to the Commission's attention through social media, where a video circulated showing the Congress leader allegedly making caste-based and racial remarks against the late Buta Singh.

Garhi stated that the Commission has requested a written reply from Amarinder Singh Raja Warring by November 6, while also directing the Tarn Taran Returning Officer to submit a report on the incident by November 4.

The bypoll is scheduled for November 11, following the seat becoming vacant after AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal passed away on June 27. Vote counting for the bye-election will take place on November 14.