Ravneet Bittu released after detention over 'egg' protest near CM Mann's convoy

Former Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu was detained by Punjab Police on Saturday after he protested near the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) gate as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s convoy passed through the area. Bittu was later released, and Punjab Police dropped him at his residence in Ludhiana.

Bittu was at the PAU gate when Bhagwant Mann arrived at the university for the Kisan Mela. During the protest, Bittu held up a bottle of liquor towards the Chief Minister’s convoy and said he was "returning the bottle” to Mann. He also asked the Chief Minister to enjoy his liquor while allowing Arvind Kejriwal to "loot Punjab from Delhi".

Bittu also tried to return eggs and tomatoes that were allegedly thrown at his cavalcade near Batala on Friday while he was travelling for the BJP’s Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra.

Bittu had alleged that it was a “pre-planned attack” near Batala in Punjab on Friday while he was on his way to Pathankot to attend the BJP’s anti-drug yatra.

Speaking to India Today TV, Bittu claimed that more than 200 people gathered near a langar and attacked his cavalcade with stones and eggs, damaging escort vehicles and the jammer vehicle.

After his detention, Bittu wrote in a Facebook post that the voice of the people could not be suppressed by detaining people or registering police cases against them.

He wrote, “Today Punjab Police detained us, but our spirits remain high.”

Speaking after the protest, Bittu said, “Yesterday, eggs and tomatoes were thrown at my cavalcade. Today I have returned them. If AAP workers are going to protest against BJP leaders at rallies and marches, 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 the BJP would continue to raise issues concerning Punjab and organise 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,” Bittu said.

Bittu was subsequently detained by Punjab Police and taken away from PAU. He was not close to the Chief Minister’s convoy but was at the PAU gate, where he had reached to stage the protest.

Bittu has now been released and taken to his residence in Ludhiana by Punjab Police. He is expected to address the media shortly and speak about his detention and the events surrounding Saturday’s protest.