Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 28

“My husband’s arrest is politically motivated. He is an honest man standing for Dalit rights,” this was stated by Rampal Kaur, wife of Gurmail Singh, the Bathinda village resident who had been arrested days ago for holding an ardaas praising for the good health of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and lauding BJP’s decision of making a Dalit the CM of the state. Kaur on Friday met Vijay Sampla, BJP leader and Chairman, National Commission for Scheduled Castes at the circuit house here.

While Sampla said the National Commission for Schedules Castes had already taken up the issue, he said justice would be ensured for Kaur’s family. In a memorandum submitted to Vijay Sampla on the occasion, Kaur sought security cover and financial assistance.

Speaking on the occasion, Kaur said, “My husband had always been raising the issue that the state should get a CM from the Dalit samaj. It never got a Dalit CM for years in the tenure of the Badals and now during the Congress. The ardaas he held was his honest sentiment and wasn’t made under any pressure as is being insinuated. Many tried to suggest that he should apologise for the ardaas then the case will be withdrawn. But I wasn’t there. Why should he apologise if it was his honest view. It is his prerogative. He stands for it.”

Kaur added, “My husband is an honest Gursikh, he stands by the prayer he made. He has always stood with Dalits and he also used to do jal sewa at our village which has a severe shortage of water.” Kaur has demanded security from the government as she lives alone and has two elderly members in the family to take care of. She demanded justice and the release of her husband.

Kaur is sarpanch of gram panchayat Bir Talab in Bathinda. Sampla said, “The lodging of an FIR over an ardaas is nothing short of an atrocity. We can’t hurt someone’s sentiments just because they are offering a prayer.”