Senior Congress leader and unit in-charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat, on Wednesday, 1 September, issued a statement of apology for his remarks equating Punjab Congress chief Navjot Sidhu and four working presidents under him with 'Punj Pyare', inducted into the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh.
Rawat, as per media reports, apologised and said:
"Sometimes while showing respect, you use words that are objectionable. I too made the mistake of using the term Punj Pyare for the Punjab chief (Mr Sidhu) and his working presidents.
Pointing out that he is a student of history, Rawat also said that “the Punj Pyare cannot be equated with anybody.”
Thereby, he went on to apologise for hurting sentiments and said that “as penance” he will “go to a gurdwara in my state and clean the complex with a broom.”