Sikhs burn minister Bhanu's effigy for racial comment

Ranchi, Jul 25 (UNI) Reacting to Jharkhand Health Minister Bhanu Pratap Shahi's reported statement against former Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari that the latter's turban would be taken off and ''sent back'' to Punjab, the Sikh community today demanded his resignation.

A group of Sikh community braving rains gathered at the Elbert Ekka Chowk here this evening and held demonstration.

They burnt Mr Shahi in effigy amid slogans ''Bhanu Pratap murdabad, Bhanu Pratap istafa do''.

Yesterday the health minister made the remark at a meeting at Dondoi in Garhwa district in which he launched a counter-attack on the former Speaker.

Recently, Mr Namdhari had advised the health minister that he needed to have gathered more infprmation about voluntary retirement scheme.

He told Mr Shahi that VRS was not given but taken only.

Mr Shahi had earlier reportedly said if the governmnt ''gives him VRS he will accept that''.

Yesterday, Mr Shahi retorted saying Mr Namdhari, MLA from Daltonganj, had ''left'' Punjab.

''Next election I will contest from that seat and ensure that Mr Namdhari loses security...then his turban would be taken off and sent back to Punjab'', the health minister said.

UNI