Domestic helpers at the residences of Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa in Sector 8 and Sector 39 here allegedly refused to accept a notice issued by the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission.
Disclosing this at a press conference on Tuesday, Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said that an employee of the Commission had twice visited the Opposition leader’s residences to serve a suo motu notice concerning alleged casteist remarks made against Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO.
Garhi said that Partap Singh Bajwa was first issued a notice during the Tarn Taran election, and that within 90 days, another notice has now been served in a separate case. He alleged that through such conduct, Bajwa had exposed what he termed a “feudal mindset” and the “anti-Dalit DNA” of the Congress party.
He further claimed that the Punjab Congress president, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, had also reflected an anti-Dalit mindset through his public statements, adding that the Commission was preparing to initiate action against him as well.
Speaking about the life journey of Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, Garhi highlighted the hardships he faced even after completing his MA and BEd degrees. He said Harbhajan Singh initially raised his voice strongly for the education of children, later cleared the Punjab Civil Services Examination, and served the state as an Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO).
Garhi said that Harbhajan Singh ETO has made significant contributions towards the welfare of marginalised sections of society and has become a source of pride for the community.
The Chairman alleged that the Congress party has historically humiliated Dalits and that the recent statements of its leaders reflect the same mindset. He claimed that the party had repeatedly attempted to obstruct the path of Babasaheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
Garhi further alleged that the Congress had tried to prevent Babasaheb from entering the Constituent Assembly. He claimed that the constituency from which Dr Ambedkar later won the election was handed over to Pakistan despite having a non-Muslim population of 58 per cent, even though, during Partition, areas with more than 50 per cent non-Muslim population were to be retained by India.
He also alleged that the Congress party consistently created obstacles in the implementation of Dalit rights recommended by the Simon Commission. Referring to historical events, he said Mahatma Gandhi had undertaken a fast unto death in Pune jail to oppose the implementation of certain Simon Commission recommendations, following which Babasaheb had to abandon the proposal for separate double voting rights for Dalits.
Garhi said Congress leaders were now spreading what he termed “false propaganda,” claiming the party had done a great deal for Dalits, whereas, according to him, the rights of Dalits in India were secured solely through the efforts of Babasaheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution.
He said that if Partap Singh Bajwa truly believes in the Indian Constitution, he should appear before the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission on February 11, 2026, at 3 pm and submit his explanation.