An unsettling event occurred in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, where a non-resident Indian (NRI) of Punjabi descent claimed to have been attacked by many males following a parking dispute. Kawaljit Singh, the victim, is presently undergoing medical care at an Amritsar hospital. The Himachal Pradesh police have denied Singh’s allegations that he was singled out because of his Punjabi identity, claiming that the incident had nothing to do with any “interstate or inter-community dispute.”
Allegations and Police Response
After spending the last 25 years living in Spain with his Spanish spouse, Kawaljit Singh recently made a trip back to Punjab and paid a visit to Dalhousie, a popular tourist attraction. Singh claims that a parking dispute turned into a fight that got out of hand and involved about a hundred people. Singh also voiced his displeasure with the way the police handled the matter, accusing them of being apathetic.
Santosh Patial, a senior Himachal Pradesh IPS officer, offered an alternative story, however. He clarified that Singh had been reading women’s palms in Khajjiar, Chamba district, and that this had resulted in an altercation when someone took offense. Patial said that Singh had decided not to take legal action after the two sides came to a deal in front of the police. He assured visitors that they are welcome in Himachal Pradesh and underlined that the episode was singular and not representative of a larger conflict.
Political Reactions and Demands for Action
A political backlash has resulted from the incident, with Punjabi leaders calling on the Himachal Pradesh government to take appropriate action. Justice has been demanded by Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla of Amritsar, and Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.
A recent issue involving actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who was allegedly slapped by a CISF women constable at Chandigarh airport, has been connected by Majithia and Aujla to the attack. The attackers reportedly made fun of Singh and his wife regarding the Kangana incident, which they claim had an influence on the attack.
MP Aujla, who visited Singh in the hospital, expressed his concerns, stating, “They (attackers) took the name of Kangana and told them (Singh) what you did with her, we did with you, which is unfortunate and wrong.” He urged the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister to take immediate action against the culprits, calling for an FIR and arrests.
SAD leader Majithia condemned the event and said it was a reaction to Kangana Ranaut’s charges against the CISF constable. Minister of Punjab NRI Affairs Dhaliwal also promised to write to the CM of Himachal Pradesh to request prompt action.
Background on Kangana Ranaut Incident
The backdrop to this incident involves Kangana Ranaut’s allegations against CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur at the Chandigarh airport. Ranaut claimed that Kaur slapped her and abused her, stating that the constable supported the farmer protests. The constable was subsequently suspended, and an FIR was lodged. Ranaut had expressed concerns about rising terrorism and extremism in Punjab following the incident.
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