leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday urged Assembly Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal to get FIR registered against Akali Dal MlA Virsa Singh Valtoha for the use of casteist slur against Dalit legislator Tarlochan Singh Soond.
In a statement, Channi said, “It is the most serious matter that calls for action against the culprit. As casteist slur was hurled at Soond on the floor of the House, the Speaker must get the FIR registered against Valtoha who should be arrested immediately as per the legal provisions.”
He said the Akali Dal MlA had denigrated the entire Dalit sections by abusing them and this could not be tolerated. He pointed out that recommending the registration of FIR was under the purview of the Speaker in the capacity of his being the custodian of the House.
He said this was a very serious matter as a ruling party MlA had abused a senior Congress Dalit MlA and the situation warranted immediate registration of the case and his arrest.
He slammed the Akalis for being anti-Dalit and he reinforced his attack with the example of two Dalit women recently protesting against the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for discriminatory treatment during sangat darshan programme in his own lambi constituency.