Punjab SC panel seeks report from Amritsar SSP on Bajwa’s ETO remark

Chandigarh: The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes on Monday took suo moto notice of a remark made by leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa about Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh ETO.Commission chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said it came to his notice through social media that Bajwa used "abusive language" against ETO. He said a report was sought from Amritsar SSP through a DSP/SP-level officer on Feb 11. He said that along with this, Bajwa was also summoned by the commission on Feb 11 to give an explanation regarding a viral video in which he is heard calling ETO "band bajaun waaley".
Even as the commission issued a notice against him, Bajwa described the action against him and the mounting criticism as "misplaced priorities" of the AAP govt. Earlier, AAP leaders and workers had staged a protest over Bajwa's remarks in Chandigarh. Reacting to the demonstration, Bajwa said it was surprising that senior members of the state govt, including finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, appeared to have ample time for political theatrics instead of addressing the pressing governance and financial challenges confronting Punjab. He emphasised that at a time when the state was grappling with mounting fiscal pressures and economic uncertainty, the govt's foremost responsibility should be to restore financial stability and ensure effective administration.Bajwa said the people of Punjab expected their govt to focus on development, public welfare, and strengthening the state's economy rather than engaging in what he termed "non-issues" for political mileage. He underscored that responsible governance requires sustained attention to policy implementation, fiscal discipline, and long-term planning, not symbolic protests or staged political activities.