The statewide protest called by the Valmiki Samaj and Valmiki Tirth Management Committee on 12th of August from 9AM to 6PM, followed by “Punjab Bandh”, has been called off. With this, there will be no “Punjab Bandh” today. Reportedly, the protest has been called off by the Valmiki Tiger Force All India and Guru Ravidas Tiger Force Punjab.
Both these units have taken the decision after meeting the NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal in Chandigarh. Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, on Monday, had requested the Valmiki Samaj to call off their protest, assuring them a meeting with chief minister Bhagwant Mann.
The representatives of the Valmiki Samaj presented a memorandum of their demands to Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, which he assured of forwarding to CM Bhagwant Mann. Assuring the Valmiki Samaj to resolve all their issues, Kuldeep Singh urged them to call off their protest in view of Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day.
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Punjab’s former AG Anmol Rattan Sidhu’s controversial claim that the members of the community are undeserving of being employed in the AG office, was the reason behind the anger of the Valmiki Samaj in Punjab.
The nomination of 100 members of the scheduled castes (SCs) to various posts inside the AG office is the subject of controversy. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), whose order was initially challenged by Punjab, made the appointments. After challenging the order in the court, the state later dropped it.
However, after meeting the NRI welfare minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, the Valmiki Samaj has called off today’s protest. Minister Dhaliwal added that the Punjab government is committed to work for the progress and prosperity of the state and its people.
