Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted interim relief to senior Punjab Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa by staying the notice issued to him by the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission in connection with his recent “band” remark.
The court has also issued notice to the Government of Punjab and sought its response in the matter. The stay will remain in effect until the next date of hearing.
The controversy stems from a statement made by Bajwa on February 7, 2026, during a Congress rally in Jandiala Guru, Amritsar, where he criticised a state minister and used a metaphor involving “band bajana” (to take to task). The remarks triggered objections, following which the SC Commission took cognisance and summoned him to appear on February 11.
While Bajwa’s counsel appeared before the Commission, the Congress leader himself did not attend the hearing. Subsequently, he approached the High Court challenging the legality of the notice dated February 9 and the proceedings initiated against him.
In his petition, Bajwa contended that his speech did not contain any caste-based reference and argued that the Commission’s action was unjustified. He further sought quashing of the notice and questioned certain observations allegedly made by the Commission’s chairperson, claiming they amounted to disrespect towards constitutional courts.
The High Court, after hearing preliminary submissions, ordered a stay on the Commission’s notice, providing temporary relief to the Congress leader. The matter will now be taken up for further consideration on the next scheduled date.
