Punjab State Women’s Commission Chairperson Raj Lalli Gill has summoned Shiromani Gurudwara Pradhanka Samiti (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami for allegedly making derogatory comments about rebel SAD leader Bibi Jagir Kaur.
Gill said that she has personally taken cognizance of the comments under Section 12 of the Punjab State Commission for Women Act, 2001. He issued a notice to Dhami and asked him to appear before the commission on December 17 with a written explanation for his comments.
Calling for Dhami’s removal as SGPC chairman, Gill said the commission was committed to protecting the rights, dignity and honor of women in Punjab. She has said that this issue is serious and worrying.
During the press conference, Gill played an audio clip of Dhami’s alleged comment which is going viral on social media. She claimed that Dhami made ‘extremely objectionable and insulting’ comments about Bibi Jagir Kaur during a telephone conversation with a journalist. “These comments were not only insulting, but insulting to women in general,” she said.
SGPC was asked to take action
The commission emphasized that Dhami, as the head of SGPC, a respected institution, is expected to uphold the highest standards of dignity and respect. “Such language is unfit for his office and sends a harmful message to society,” Gill said.
Citing the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, he asked the SGPC to take immediate action and remove Dhami from his post.
Gill also warned that appropriate legal action under the Punjab State Commission for Women Act, 2001 will be recommended if Dhami fails to appear before the commission within the stipulated time.
An example is with Channi
The Commission had earlier issued such a notice to former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for making derogatory comments about women. Channi did not attend the commission but later apologized publicly. No action was taken against him.
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