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Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission Opens Tarn Taran Probes, Summons Bajwa

The watchdog launched suo motu inquiries into alleged caste-based seating discrimination and the use of Sikh religious images during a bypoll rally, setting a November 17 deadline for a district report.

Overview

  • The commission invoked Section 10(2)(h) of the 2004 Act after media and social media reports flagged the incidents.
  • Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa has been directed to appear in person on November 10 over the alleged use of images of Bhai Jiwan Singh and Guru Tegh Bahadur at a Congress rally.
  • The Tarn Taran deputy commissioner has been asked for a detailed factual report by November 17, including action taken under the Model Code of Conduct and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
  • One inquiry concerns reports that Assistant Labour Commissioner Jasvir Singh was made to sit separately at the Tarn Taran Vikas Mela, an act the commission said would invite strict action if confirmed.
  • The Punjab chief election officer’s office asked the commission to withdraw its summons to the district election officials due to polling duties, as the commission warned it could proceed under Section 10(1) if responses fall short; earlier, a notice to Amarinder Singh Raja Warring over an alleged remark drew an apology.