Chandigarh: The Punjab State Commission for Women on Monday issued a show-cause notice to former CM Charanjit Singh Channi for his alleged derogatory remarks against women, Jats and Brahmins while campaigning for Congress candidate Amrita Warring in Gidderbaha on Sunday.
Taking suo moto notice of a video being circulated on social media, commission chairperson Raj Lali Gill said criminal proceedings would be initiated against Channi if he failed to give a satisfactory reply to the commission at its headquarters in Mohali by 11am on Tuesday. She also questioned Amrita’s “silence” despite being a witness.
In the video, Channi is heard talking about a conversation between two dogs, one owned by a Jat and the other by a Brahmin. Comparing lifestyles of the two communities, he insinuated that Jats had two wives. Gill told the media everyone had seen the video. “The comparison he made is shameful. But it is not something new for Channi saab. His thinking seems to be against women. Later, he comes up with excuses. Amrita Warring was present there, but did not object. Channi also targeted Jats and Pandits. What does he want to do? Create unrest in the state? That is why we have issued the notice. Otherwise, we will take legal advice and act on it. An FIR can be filed against him,” she said.
“I will also write to the DGP and if there is any reaction to his remarks, if women or any communities come out on the streets, Channi will be responsible. Amrita Warring’s silence on the issue will also go against them... How dare he compare women to dogs,” she added.
The notice read, “Apart from women, you have used such words against Jat and Hindu communities. Besides disrespecting women, it is an attempt to divide two communities, which can disrupt peace in the state.”
The notice further read that why an FIR should not be registered against Channi under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.