Koi Haramzada kise vi vipari nu tang nahi karuga”(No basard will trouble any trader) “Jehre kise ne haramjadgi keeti a, pharke liake putha tango.”(whoever has done the mischief(haramzadi), bring him (to police station)and hang him put upside down.” Kultar allegedly said to the DSP on the spot.
Faridkot
Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Monday issued a press statement saying that he was sorry if his words had hurt anybody.But denied having targeted any particular people,instead used them against mischievous people.
“I did not use the harsh works for everyone, but they were used for the mischievous who disturb the people.No one can be allowed to take the law into his hands in a civilized society.I had warned the violators that action would be taken against them if they violate the law.Some selfish people are distorting my words and presenting statement in bad light.Still,If those words have hurt anybody’s sentiments, he is sorry(apologetic) for it,” reads the press note by Kultar Singh Sandhwan today.
His statement comes days after the dissolution of the truck union Kotkpaura where,publicly speaking, he had said,”Koi Haramjada kise vi vipari nu tang nahi karuga”(No basard will trouble any trader) “Jehre kise ne haramjadgi keeti a, pharke liake putha tango.”(whoever has done the mischief(haramzadi), bring him (to police station)and hang him put upside down,” Sandhwan said even pulling up Shamsher Singh Shergill, DSP Kotkapura, also present on the spot.
He was speaking on the issue between the truck unionists and ahartias of Kotkapura and so truckers alleged that he called them haramjadas.
“It was your duty to inform me when I had spoken to you that a case/cases are also being registered against the trader's. Your case registered against them(traders) is tantamount to be registered against me,” Kultar was seen instructing the police officials publicly.
This viral clip had led to widespread criticism by the truckers.
Though Kultar Singh Sandhwan denied that he had used any such words specifically against the truckers and the truckers took a strong exception of those words, locking their premises and allowing tractor trolleys even levelling serious allegations.
“We , the people had voted the AAP to power and now Kultar Singh Sandhwan called us bastards. We have been in this business for decades. They can also not lock out truck union premises. It is our personal land, bought by us.we accept that the union is dissolved but we can stand on a common platform, as the kissans have unions,ahartias have their associations and likewise there are labour unions.You may call us an association.They first organized the union, brought their own president who even did not have any truck, but we accepted him as our president. He is very honest. He took up our issues. But since the new appointment of a rice miller union president, trouble started brewing,"alleged Gurwinder Singh Ginda and other truckers addressing the media this morning.
The truckers further alleged that the demand of locking the union premises by ahartias is totally unjustified.
“If we lock their rice mills or residences, will they accept it? They asked.
They alleged said that as per the high court directions, tractor –trollies are non commercial vehicles. They have no permits, no passing and they come very cheap. They can only carry 2 tons of sanctioned load, but they are allowed to carry about 15 to 19 tons loads, while we are allowed only 9 tons.
"The speaker is seen instructing the police officials why they had not kept him in the loop, then can we infer that the case against us was registered on his instructions?
"The DSP is accountable to the SSP and other seniors, but he is not supposed to take instructions from the speaker. The police worked very efficiently and also heard us. when they assured that legal action must be taken on our complainant as well, we lifted the dharna," said Gurinder.
Ajaypal Singh Sandhu, halqa in charge of congress from Kotkapura also termed it very unfortunate. "First he formed the union and when they protested, he dissolved. The AAP was voted by people to power for their welfare, But they are now intoxicated by power. They use power in an unjustified way,"Sandhu said.
"AAP leaders do not have a stand, they use power for themselves and keep changing their stands," said Sandhu.
State leaders of truck operators have today visited Kotkapura and they are still discussing the matter till the filing of the report.