Patna, Feb 17 (IANS) Following Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's allegedly derogatory remarks on the people of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, a criminal case was filed against him in a court in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and an application moved in a Patna police station on Thursday.
Social activist Tammannah Hashmi filed a plea under various sections of the Indian Penal Code in Muzaffarpur and the CJM's court has admitted the case.
"Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi insulted the people of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. His statement has hurt the sentiments of these states. Hence, I have filed an application against him in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court. It is accepted by the court. The next hearing of this case will be on February 24," Hashmi said.
The BJP's youth wing came forward to file a FIR in Patna as well. Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Vice President Manish Singh moved an application in Kadam Kuan police station to register an FIR against Channi.
"We have strongly demanded legal action against the Punjab Chief Minister. He should apologize for his derogatory remark on the people of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi," Singh said.
BJP OBC Morcha national General Secretary and Bihar BJP spokesperson Dr Nikhil Anand said: "The statement of Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi shows the regional and casteist bias which is hardcore ingrained in the Congress culture. Interestingly, when Channi was abusing the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, (Congress General Secretary) Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was laughing shamelessly enjoying the slant on Purvanchal. We condemn the statement of Channi and demand an apology from Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi."
"The state of Punjab will economically collapse if the people of Bihar and UP go on 100 per cent strike. The cultural inheritance of Guru Gobind Singh ji, Sant Kabir and Ravidas ji belongs to the land of Bihar-UP. The state of Punjab will be culturally and economically uprooted if it discards Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. People of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh will keep teaching lessons to Congress till the time it loses the status of a national party," he added.
Channi has claimed that his statement was twisted by opposition parties and media.
"My statement was against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, (and AAP leaders) Durgesh Pathak and Sanjay Singh who came from outside and creating disturbance. My statement is not for common people of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan who come to Punjab for work. Their contribution in the making of Punjab is immense and I have great respect for them," Channi said in a video statement.
"We all are migrant people and we have equal rights on the lands of Punjab. A large number of Punjabi people are also working in other states and in other countries," Channi said.
On the occasion of Bhagat Kabir Ji Jayanti, the Chief Minister also announced that his government will soon disburse Rs 560 crore to the landless farm labourers under the Debt Waiver Scheme.
Custom officials at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here have seized 80 iPhones from two passengers arriving from Sharjah. They found the iPhones worth over Rs 1 crore while checking the luggage of the two passengers who had arrived by flight G9-458 on Wednesday.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday approved Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) to operate the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport in the adjoining Thane-Raigad region, an official said here.
The session ensued a detailed discussion about the rising air pollution as well as the steps that need to be taken up by authorities as well as the community to manage the deteriorating air quality.
After Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met the party panel on the state in the national capital on Tuesday, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has stepped in to defuse the tension in the state unit. Gandhi has given utmost importance to the state, meeting stake holders who have sought time from him, said sources.
The Delhi police have arrested two men for breaking into a bank in Shahdara area and fleeing with nearly Rs 55 lakh, officials said. Police have also recovered hammer, chisel, and helmets from their possession.
