Punjab minister Inderbir Nijjar calls Punjabis 'bewakoof kaum', apologises after comment stirs controversy

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 30

AAP leader and Punjab Local Bodies Minister Dr Inderbir Nijjar on Wednesday invited criticism from several quarters for his controversial remarks regarding the Punjabis.

Interacting with the media in Amritsar, Nijjar while trying to make a point regarding the need for crop diversity and dwindling ground water level said, “Punjabiyan to bewakoof kaum koi ni (There is no community stupider than Punjabis).”

Hours after his remarks created controversy, Nijjar apologised to the "entire Punjab community". The Minister said he made unsavoury remarks in the heat of moment, which hurt the feelings of Punjabi people.

"I am also a Punjabi and am well aware of the contribution the community has made — be it to the country's freedom struggle or Green Revolution. I apologise for the hurt my comments have caused," he said in a video message.

Congress MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Khaira demanded public apology from Nijjar for humiliating Punjabis and farmers by calling them ‘bewakoof’. Khaira said in a tweet: “farmers are forced to sow these crops as governments like those of Bhagwant Mann have failed to provide guaranteed MSP on other crops”.

While talking about various subjects, Nijjar called out landlords and farmers on their reluctance for crop diversification. While trying to make a point regarding the need for crop diversity and dwindling ground water level, he said, “Punjabiyan to bewakoof kaum koi ni.”

Nijjar added that farmers of Punjab have become complacent and comfortable with the wheat-paddy cycle and choose to use ground water, without any consideration for switching to canal water.

There has been no response from Nijjar after the controversy broke out over his remarks.

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