Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Thursday strongly criticised BJP’s Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu over his conduct with Punjab Police officers in Dhuri, stating that his behaviour had crossed all limits of decency and exposed the BJP leader’s arrogance and disrespect towards security forces.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab State Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said Ravneet Singh Bittu publicly misbehaved with Punjab Police officials while cameras were rolling and even used derogatory words like “dalal” against officers. He stated that such behaviour from a Union Minister was completely unacceptable and irresponsible.
Baltej Pannu said whether it is Punjab Police, Central Armed Forces, or the Indian Army, every security force deserves respect because they work day and night to protect citizens. “Targeting an entire force and attempting to lower its morale for political drama is extremely dangerous. Security personnel risk their lives for the safety of people and they should never be insulted in this manner,” he said.
Taking strong exception to Ravneet Singh Bittu’s remarks that Punjabis abuse police personnel whenever checkpoints are installed, Baltej Pannu said the statement was deeply insulting not only to Punjab Police but also to the people of Punjab. “Punjab Police personnel, particularly younger officers, have transformed public dealing and are discharging their duties professionally for public safety,” he added.
Highlighting the work of the Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF), Baltej Pannu said accident victims today receive immediate assistance within minutes because of the dedicated efforts of Punjab Police personnel. “Whenever people face theft, attacks, accidents, or emergencies, the very first call they make is to the police and not to abuse them.
Honest citizens feel safer when police checkpoints are installed. Only criminals and anti-social elements have a problem with police checking,” he added. Baltej Pannu further questioned Ravneet Singh Bittu’s silence after the controversy erupted and said the Union Minister failed to answer the questions raised by AAP leaders in earlier press conferences.
Instead of responding to serious concerns, he resorted to personal attacks, he added. Cornering Ravneet Singh Bittu further, Baltej Pannu raised the issue of the recruitment of Bittu’s brother as DSP in Punjab Police during the Congress government in 2017.
He claimed that multiple eligibility norms, including age criteria, educational qualifications, and recruitment procedures, were altered to facilitate the appointment. “If Ravneet Singh Bittu believes Punjab Police is so bad and claims Punjabis hate the force, then why did he go to such extraordinary lengths to get his own family member recruited into the same department?” Baltej Pannu questioned.
Contrasting previous governments with the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, Baltej Pannu stated that more than 65,000 government jobs have been provided purely on the basis of merit without bribery, corruption, or recommendations. He challenged opposition leaders to present even a single example of recruitment through corruption under the current Punjab Government.
Demanding an unconditional apology, Baltej Pannu said Ravneet Singh Bittu must apologise to the entire Punjab Police force, especially Sub-Inspector and SSP Navjot Kaur, against whom he used inappropriate language during the confrontation. “Punjab Police officers earn their positions through hard work, education, competitive examinations, and the sacrifices of their families, not through special rule changes and political influence,” he asserted.