Sikh community members protested against former Uttarakhand cabinet minister and senior Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat for allegedly making objectionable remarks against the community on Friday as he went to extend support to the lawyers protesting for the past 26 days.
Sikh community protesters burnt an effigy of the Congress leader and discounted his statement.
Congress leader Rawat claimed that his unintended remarks at the lawyers’ protest on Friday triggered a protest by some community members on Saturday, despite the Congress leader extending his public apology on the same day.
According to the protesters, Rawat’s objectionable comment against the Sikh community led them to come out on the street.
On Friday, Rawat suddenly arrived at the protest site of lawyers on Haridwar Road to extend his support to their demands. As Rawat addressed them, a Sikh lawyer stood up to say something, forcing the Congress leader to ask him to sit down as “it was 12 noon.” However, he realised his mistake and immediately expressed his apology to the lawyer.
Following this, Rawat was forced to leave the protest venue. The lawyers objected to his tone and called it an insult to the Sikh community.
Harak Singh Rawat, however, stated that his words should not be misinterpreted. Interestingly, his apology was accepted by the Sikh lawyer concerned.
Following the incident, Rawat rushed to the Bar Association office at the District Court in the evening and tried to persuade the association office bearers, claiming that he had been misinterpreted.
Congress leader again apologised for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the community unintentionally.
“The feeling behind the comment that drew opposition was not to mock or hurt anyone’s sentiments. However, I apologise if anyone’s feelings were hurt,” said Rawat during a meeting at the Dehradun Bar Association office.