Punjab : Navjot Sidhu caught on ‘pants wet’ statement, officials scolded, DSP sent defamation notice

Congress’s Punjab unit president Navjot Singh Sidhu’s alleged remark about a policeman’s pants getting wet has sparked controversy. Two police officers have strongly condemned it, terming it as shameful. Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema also criticized Sidhu for his alleged remarks. At the same time, a police officer of Chandigarh has also sent him a defamation notice.

Chandigarh Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilsher Singh Chandel said, ‘I have sent a defamation notice to the police to humiliate them.’ A sub-inspector released a video message condemning the statement. Congress MP from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu even sided with the policemen and praised their role in the times of Kovid-19 and during militancy.

The controversy started when Sidhu, at a recent rally in Sultanpur Lodhi, pointed to MLA Navtej Singh Cheema saying that he can wet the pants of the Thanedar (policeman). He reiterated this during a rally in Batala on Sunday when local leader Ashwini Sekhri was standing with him. When asked by reporters about his remarks, Sidhu said it should not be taken literally.

Viral on social media

A video clip making Sidhu’s remarks went viral on social media, prompting a sharp reaction from some police officers and politicians. Punjab Lok Congress President and former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that it is sad that the police is being insulted. Singh said in a tweet that it was sad to see his policemen insulted. 1700 jawans of Punjab Police sacrificed their lives to bring the state out of the dark days and are now being mocked by the Punjab Congress and their President. Terming it as shameful, he said that a leader should be given respect to get respect.

#WATCH | It's very shameful that a senior leader insults police force that provides him protection. Without police, even a rickshaw puller won't obey their instructions: Chandigarh DSP Dilsher S Chandel on Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's remarks against police (25.12) pic.twitter.com/W1EjjhTkLs

— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2021

Akali leader condemned

Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema questioned the “silence” of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Sidhu’s remarks. Chandel termed Sidhu’s remarks as “shameful”. “It is very shameful that such a senior leader uses these words for his own strength and humiliates him,” he said. “It is the same force that protects him (Sidhu) and his family,” he said in a video message. He also challenged Sidhu to return the policemen deployed for his security.

“Without the (security) force, not even a rickshaw puller will listen to them,” he said. “I strongly condemn this remark and he (Sidhu) should not use such words for his own strength,” Chandel said. The force has its own dignity and honor and it is our responsibility to maintain this dignity. Punjab Police Sub-Inspector Balbir Singh posted in Jalandhar Rural also strongly condemned Sidhu’s remarks.

“A senior leader used such language against us, I strongly condemn it,” he said in a video message. He also requested the Punjab DGP not to let the image of the police be tarnished. Commenting on the video of Chandigarh DSP and Punjab Police Sub-Inspector, Ludhiana MP Bittu praised the role of Punjab Police in eliminating terrorism from the state.