Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday tore into the BJP and communal forces while leading the third day of the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ across the Malwa region. (Image TIN)
Bhatinda: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday tore into the BJP and communal forces while leading the third day of the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ across the Malwa region, pointing out to the saffron party’s agenda of trying to brand patriotic Punjabis as “anti-national” and conspiring to destroy the state’s centuries-old social harmony for electoral gains.
Beginning the yatra from Bathinda and paying obeisance at Sri Damdama Sahib, the Chief Minister warned that the same “politics of fear and division” unleashed in West Bengal was now being attempted in Punjab, where communal forces were trying to pit communities against each other to polarise society and capture power. The Chief Minister also asserted that Punjabis, who made the greatest sacrifices for the country’s freedom and unity, would never allow such forces to succeed in Punjab, while declaring that those involved in beadbi cases, including protectors and handlers, would now face stringent punishment under the new law, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh.
Addressing massive gatherings at Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda city and Kotshamir, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann called upon Punjabis to unite against divisive forces inimical to the peace, amity and communal harmony of the state, asserting that communal politics would never be allowed to disturb Punjab’s centuries-old brotherhood. Coining the slogan “Punjab belongs to Punjabis,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those trying to disturb communal harmony are enemies of Punjab. The BJP has gained power in Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal through divisive politics, but such conspiracies would never succeed in Punjab because people here celebrate every festival together.”
“Communal parties are conspiring to break Punjab’s brotherhood and their sinister agenda must not be allowed to succeed,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said. He added that these political parties want to divide Punjabis and pit communities against each other for electoral gains.
Citing the example of West Bengal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the situation there deteriorated drastically after BJP came to power and innocent people’s houses are being set on fire. “The moment BJP formed the government in West Bengal, an atmosphere of fear spread everywhere. The same conspiracy is now being hatched for Punjab,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said. “First they pit two communities against each other, then they stand with one side and intimidate the other to secure votes,” he added.
Targeting RSS and BJP over nationalism, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said RSS did not hoist the Tricolour at its headquarters for 52 years, yet today they are distributing certificates of patriotism to others. “Punjabis made countless sacrifices for the nation during the freedom struggle and do not need certificates from self-proclaimed patriots,” he said.
Referring to Partition, he said Punjab suffered the most during that painful period and nearly one million Punjabis lost their lives, whereas those now questioning Punjab’s patriotism had made no such sacrifices for the nation. He said some BJP leaders are demanding sedition charges against him while forgetting that Punjabis have made nearly 90 percent sacrifices for the nation and are now being labelled traitors. “Punjabis who made the highest sacrifices for the nation are now being branded anti-national by the BJP,” said the Chief Minister.
Targeting opposition leaders, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said leaders like Sunil Jakhar need introspection because they cannot tolerate seeing the son of an ordinary family honestly serving Punjab after becoming head of the state. Training his guns on Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann described both parties as looters that plundered Punjab’s wealth for decades while ignoring welfare of common people. “Opposition parties are asking for another chance to loot Punjab, but people will now send them not to power, only to jail,” he said.
He said Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal is daydreaming about returning to power, but the wise people of Punjab will never again vote for those who repeatedly betrayed the state.
Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as a devout and indebted Sikh, he had embarked upon the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ with full religious fervour and gaiety after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. He said his heart is indebted to the Almighty for blessing him with the opportunity to serve humanity by enacting the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026, which stipulates harsher punishment for sacrilege.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Our Government is fortunate to have been entrusted with the responsibility of passing this historic legislation, which will help put an end to sacrilege incidents in future. Sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was part of a deep-rooted conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in Punjab. The Act ensures that anyone found guilty of this unpardonable offence will not be spared and exemplary punishment will be awarded to perpetrators of this heinous crime,” he said.
He further said excuses of mental illness in beadbi cases will no longer work and even protectors and handlers of those involved in such crimes can face life imprisonment along with fines up to ₹50 lakh. “Those committing sacrilege in Punjab will no longer escape punishment,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
He expressed hope that the stringent legislation would act as a strong deterrent against sacrilege incidents in future and no one would dare commit such a crime again. Describing Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a father figure for every Sikh, the Chief Minister said it is the collective duty of society to ensure its sanctity and added that people from across the globe are expressing happiness and gratitude over the enactment of the historic law.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the sole purpose of the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ is to thank the Almighty for giving him the strength and courage to pass this important legislation. Thanking people who gathered in huge numbers despite the scorching heat, he said he was grateful to the Almighty for this overwhelming affection from the public. “I am nobody to pass this Act. Guru Sahib himself has taken this service from me,” he said, adding that God entrusts such service only to those chosen by Him.
Calling himself a humble servant of Guru Sahib, he said this was a huge responsibility because people from all sections of society had been demanding such a law for a long time to check desecration incidents. The sole purpose behind the legislation was to heal the sentiments of people bruised due to the negligence of previous governments and there was no political motive behind it. People from across the world are happy over the historic legislation and he receives numerous calls daily from people thanking him for this initiative,” he added.
However, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said some people are opposing the law tooth and nail because their political bosses are unhappy over it. “It is unfortunate that some people are indulging in politics even over this sensitive issue merely for vested interests because they know they may soon land behind bars for grave sins,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
Calling Bathinda the heart of the Malwa region, he said the massive response to the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ reflects the happiness and emotional connection of people with the enactment of the law. He said previous governments never bothered to enact such legislation because they never wanted perpetrators of sacrilege incidents to land behind bars.
Lashing out at the Akalis, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said they were never sincere about enacting such a law during their tenure because their intentions were flawed from the beginning. He added that Akali leaders allowed sacrilege incidents to happen for political gains despite seeking votes in the name of Baba Nanak. “They sought votes in the name of Baba Nanak but insulted Baba Nanak’s Bani,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
He further said Akali leaders admitted their mistakes before Akal Takht Sahib but later denied them publicly. “Those who can lie before the Takht can never remain loyal to anyone,” he remarked, urging people to remain cautious of such leaders.
Taking a dig at opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann accused previous Congress and Akali governments of promoting nepotism and corruption while ignoring welfare of common people. He asserted that the present Punjab Government is working honestly and transparently for every section of society. “The taxpayers’ money is now being spent judiciously on welfare works and is being returned to people through development, schools, hospitals and roads instead of corruption and commissions,” he said.
Highlighting achievements of the AAP Government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said more than 90 percent households in Punjab are receiving free electricity and over 65,000 youth have secured government jobs without corruption. He said roads and infrastructure are being upgraded across the state and several toll plazas have been shut down, saving nearly ₹70 lakh daily for people.
The Chief Minister said when the AAP Government assumed office in 2022, only 21 percent canal water was being used for irrigation in the state. “Today nearly 68 percent of canal water is being utilised for irrigation and this figure will rise to 85 percent by the upcoming paddy season,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
He said the Punjab Government has laid nearly 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across the state to facilitate farmers in every corner of Punjab. The Chief Minister said 21,000 cusecs of water have been released through these pipelines and watercourses to cater to irrigation needs of farmers. “This water released by the Punjab Government is equal to the supply of two Bhakra canals,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, adding that recharge points have also been created in canals and rivers due to which groundwater levels have increased by two to four metres in several areas. “This decision has been taken to safeguard future generations because Punjab’s identity and existence are intrinsically linked with water,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government has launched the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna under which every woman in Punjab will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women belonging to Scheduled Castes will receive ₹1,500 per month. He said the amount will be directly transferred into bank accounts and even women already receiving social security pensions will be eligible for the scheme. “Nearly 97 percent women in Punjab are expected to benefit from the scheme and the Punjab Government has allocated ₹9,300 crore for it in the Budget,” he added.
The Chief Minister further said the AAP Government has launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna under which health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said every family is entitled to free treatment up to ₹10 lakh and over 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards. He said nearly 1.65 lakh people have already availed free treatment under the scheme and urged people to maximise benefits of the health cards.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said he is fulfilling every responsibility entrusted to him by people in 2022 with complete honesty and every promise made to Punjabis is being delivered upon. He said Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across Punjab where quality treatment facilities are being provided free of cost, government schools are being transformed, hospitals upgraded and free electricity provided to households and farmers.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated, “Our Government has laid nearly 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and revived watercourses to ensure that water reaches every field of Punjab.”
Sharing a few snippets on X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, on the third day of the ‘Shukrana Yatra’, I was blessed with the opportunity to pay obeisance at the sacred land of martyrs and Gurus, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. Despite it being a working day and the extreme heat, the immense love, blessings and affection you showered upon me by gathering in such huge numbers has left me deeply grateful.”
“It is only through the boundless blessings of Guru Sahib that we were able to enact the stringent Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act to prevent beadbi incidents. Under this law, no accused will now be able to escape punishment by taking the excuse of ‘mental imbalance’; strict action will also be taken against their protectors and handlers. Previous governments only looted Punjab for their families and indulged in divisive politics, whereas Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji belongs to the entirety of humanity and gives us the message of Sarbat da Bhala,” he added
“Those who betrayed Punjabis have today abandoned the battlefield and fled. Your “Lok Sewak” and your government remain firmly committed, day and night, to Punjab’s progress, communal harmony and protection of Guru Maharaj’s maryada,” the post concluded.
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