DEHRADUN, Dec 6 : Sikh community members on Saturday protested against former Uttarakhand cabinet minister and senior Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat for allegedly making objectionable remarks against the community.
Sikh community protesters burnt an effigy of the Congress leader protesting against his objectionable remarks, though Rawat has extended a public apology.
Rawat’s alleged remarks were made when he went to extend support to lawyers protesting for the past 26 days on Friday.
Harak Singh Rawat suddenly arrived at the protest site of lawyers on Haridwar Road to extend his support to their demands on Friday.
As Rawat was addressing them, a Sikh lawyer stood up to say something, and the Congress leader asked him to sit down, saying “it was 12 noon” — seen as a pejorative remark aimed at the Sikh community.
Realising his mistake, Rawat immediately expressed his apology to the lawyer.
Following this, Rawat was forced to leave the protest venue as the lawyers objected to his remark, calling it an insult to the Sikh community.
Harak Singh Rawat 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 convince the association office bearers claiming that he was misinterpreted.
The Congress leader again apologised for “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 the meet at the Dehradun Bar Association office.
(UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
