‘Arrest Warring in week’: Ranghreta Dal threatens stir

The All-India Ranghreta Dal on Sunday warned that it would launch a sharp and widespread agitation across Punjab if state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring is not arrested within a week for allegedly making a caste-based remark against former Union Home Minister Buta Singh during a recent Tarn Taran by-election campaign.

The warning was issued during an emergency meeting convened at the Phagwara residence of the organisation’s national president, Joginder Singh Mann, a former state minister.

The meeting witnessed the participation of state president Joginder Singh Tiger, members of the state committee, and presidents of various district units.

Addressing the gathering, Joginder Singh Mann — nephew of the late Buta Singh — strongly condemned Warring’s allegedly casteist remarks, calling them “deeply objectionable” and “an insult to a highly educated, respectable and senior Scheduled Caste leader within his own party”.

Mann expressed disappointment that, despite the seriousness of the issue, no arrest had been made so far.

AAP state spokesperson and Phagwara constituency in-charge Harnur Singh (Harji) Mann at the meeting assured Ranghreta Dal leaders that Warring’s arrest would be ensured.

He said such derogatory statements against the Mazhabi Sikh and Valmiki communities would not be tolerated, and must be dealt with strictly.

The meeting also deliberated on various challenges faced by the Mazhabi Sikh and Valmiki communities.

Mann assured the gathering that he would facilitate the resolution of issues related to the police, civic administration, and the state government.