Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Jeevan Singh Sangowal had visited the village of New Bahadur—falling under the Gill Assembly constituency—to attend a public outreach program (*Lok Milni*) and hear the residents’ grievances. However, as the program concluded and MLA Sangowal prepared to leave, Pinki Ram (husband of the village’s female Sarpanch) and other villagers stood in his path, intending to submit a memorandum regarding their demands. Instead of engaging with the people, the MLA got into his vehicle. Although the Sarpanch’s husband and the villagers urged the police personnel present to facilitate a meeting, the MLA drove away. Villagers attempted to stop the vehicle, but police personnel on duty pushed them back; subsequently, the villagers began raising slogans against the Punjab government and the Aam Aadmi Party, creating a tense atmosphere.
**Memorandum Intended to Demand Restoration of 2% Quota for *Vimukt Jatis* (De-notified Tribes) – Sarpanch’s Husband Pinki Ram**
Pinki Ram, husband of the New Bahadur village Sarpanch, explained that his community falls under the category of *Vimukt Jatis* (De-notified Tribes). He noted that while a two percent quota had been designated for these tribes by the Punjab government, it has not been restored. He stated that he had intended to submit a memorandum to MLA Sangowal urging the immediate restoration of the quota for his community and other *Vimukt Jatis*; however, instead of listening to their concerns, the MLA left without speaking to them. Pinki Ram added that he also wanted to inform the MLA about individuals who had encroached upon government panchayat land. He remarked that as the area’s MLA, it was his duty to listen to the residents, yet none of their concerns were heard, prompting the villagers to raise slogans against him after he refused to stop.
