Former Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu was detained and later released by Punjab Police on Saturday following a protest in front of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cavalcade near the Punjab Agricultural University gate in Ludhiana, according to local reports. The confrontation unfolded as the Chief Minister arrived at the venue for the Kisan Mela.
Protest at Punjab Agricultural University Gate
The Saturday demonstration featured Ravneet Singh Bittu carrying eggs and tomatoes during his protest outside the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) gate, as the Chief Minister arrived for the Kisan Mela. According to statements released by the Punjab Police, Bittu was detained specifically for attempting to throw eggs and tomatoes at the Chief Minister’s convoy before being subsequently released.
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The demonstration followed an incident on Friday, when Bittu alleged that eggs and tomatoes were thrown at his own convoy while he was en route to Pathankot for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra. Bittu had blamed the Mann government for that alleged attack, calling it the dirtiest manifestation of the administration’s panic. Speaking about Saturday’s return of the items, Bittu stated, “Yesterday, eggs and tomatoes were thrown at my convoy. Today, I have returned them.”
Political Repercussions and Democratic Rights
“If AAP workers are going to protest against BJP leaders, rallies and yatras, then BJP workers will also exercise their democratic right to protest against the Punjab government and its leaders. We will not remain silent,” Bittu said, adding a social media post reading, “ਭਗਵੰਤ ਮਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਲਾਹਣਤ।”
Bittu asserted that the BJP would continue to raise issues concerning Punjab and organize peaceful democratic protests outside the chief minister’s programmes and offices whenever required. “This is a clear message to the Punjab Government – political opposition cannot be silenced through police action. BJP workers will answer every democratic protest democratically and will continue to stand with the people of Punjab,” he said.
Escalation and Federal Notice
Bittu told reporters that if anything happens to him or those accompanying him, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state Director General of Police will be responsible. As the grandson of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, Bittu further noted that he has brought the entire incident to the notice of the Union Home Ministry.