New Delhi: A delegation of senior Punjab Congress leaders on Tuesday met the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and submitted a formal complaint regarding the alleged lathi-charge on protesters in Barnala, seeking an independent inquiry into the incident and action against those responsible.
The delegation comprised Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Member of Parliament Dr. Amar Singh, and former MP Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi.
According to the Congress leaders, they apprised the Commission of the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of force in Barnala and expressed concern over what they described as the treatment meted out to members of the Scheduled Caste community during the protest. They urged the Commission to intervene and ensure that justice is delivered in a fair and transparent manner.
The delegation said that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes assured them that the matter would be examined seriously. According to the Congress leaders, the Commission indicated that it could either constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations or undertake a visit to Barnala to assess the situation firsthand before making its recommendations.
Speaking after the meeting, the Congress leaders said they expect the Commission to conduct an impartial investigation and hold accountable anyone found responsible for violating the rights of Scheduled Caste citizens. They maintained that democratic protests should be handled with sensitivity and within the framework of the law.
The Barnala incident has triggered political reactions in Punjab, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the state government. Congress leaders said they would continue to pursue the matter through constitutional institutions to ensure that the concerns of the affected people are addressed and that appropriate action is taken based on the findings of the inquiry.