Bhagwant Mann accuses previous governments of aiding drug trade, vows action
The Chief Minister alleged that earlier regimes not only turned a blind eye to the drug crisis but also actively protected and facilitated drug networks across the state. He claimed that government machinery, including official vehicles, was misused to transport narcotics under the patronage of powerful individuals.Mann said that his administration has broken this pattern by arresting several individuals who were previously considered beyond the reach of law. He added that many of these individuals, known for amassing wealth through illicit activities, are now in jail and facing the consequences of their actions.Additionally, Mann also took aim at political opponents who, he said, opposed the arrest of senior leaders linked to the drug trade. Without naming anyone directly, he referenced historical instances to underscore what he described as a legacy of betrayal against Punjab's interests.The Chief Minister clarified that there is no political vendetta behind the arrests. Legal proceedings are being followed and the judiciary will determine the outcome. During the address, Mann said that those who contributed to the devastation of Punjab's youth through drugs do not deserve any special privileges while in custody.- EndsMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Punjab
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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
On social media, counter-narrative builds against AAP govt's land pooling policy in Punjab
1 2 Jalandhar: At a time when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt is at pains to push its land pooling policy, especially among farmers, activists and Punjabi netizens, not necessarily aligned to any political party, are playing a crucial role in bringing a counter-narrative, with the battle on the Punjabi social media space increasingly becoming aggressive. What can be an even bigger headache for the ruling party is that opponents of the policy have started invoking the terminology, expressions, and analogies of the three farm laws brought by the BJP govt, which led to the historical farm movement, and ultimately forced the Narendra Modi govt to withdraw them. While the opposition political parties and farm groups have staged protests, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has been taking jibes at the opposition parties and farm leaders to discredit them. However, the battle on social media is being driven more by the activists and netizens. The influential pro-farm social media account, 'Tractor 2 Twitter', which played a pivotal role on social media during the farm protest against the three farm laws, shared a poster on Thursday using the analogy: 'BJP's three black farm laws – (were) a conspiracy to snatch govt mandis'; 'AAP's black land pooling policy – a conspiracy to snatch fertile fields'. The activists and netizens are not confining themselves to rhetoric on the issue, but a few are digging deep to build their arguments. During the farm protest of 2020, activists of different ideological hues, including Sikh and Left-leaning groups despite strong differences among themselves, powered the narrative against the three farm bills on social media. The same scene appears to be evolving now. Conversely, not many AAP workers and supporters are coming forward to defend the policy online. They seem outnumbered and outmaneuvered, especially on Facebook, the preferred platform among Punjabi netizens. At least two individuals, who featured in AAP's pro-policy publicity campaign on social media, ended up giving clarifications, and both later said that farmers in their respective areas did not want land pooling. Their clarifications were widely shared by the anti-land-pooling-policy activists and netizens. Some of the former AAP workers and supporters are now also adding to the headache for the ruling party on this issue. In fact, it is not for the first instance of the AAP govt facing more opposition from non-aligned Punjabi activists and netizens. Most of them opposed the old parties like Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP. Within three months of the formation of the Bhagwant Mann govt, a movement started by some environmental activists to oppose an industrial project at Mattewara forest land was given impetus by the pro-farm and Sikh activists, leading to the first mobilisation of people on the ground. A few opposition leaders also supported the movement. The Punjab govt then announced the withdrawal of the project. A similar dynamic was observed during the protests against the Zira distillery.
India Today
16 hours ago
- India Today
Punjab, top Sikh body spar over events on Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day
A fresh tussle has erupted in Punjab between the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-aligned Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). This time, the friction centres around their separate plans to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Guru of Monday, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that the state government's upcoming celebration has been scheduled from November 19 to 25, where the government will organise several events, including a major yatra starting from Srinagar, which will be flagged off by Chief Minister Bhagwant yatras from Punjab's Majha, Malwa, and Doaba regions will converge at Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Tegh Bahadur, and the city will be turned into a white city to mark the day. However, the SGPC has voiced strong objections after the government announcement, calling the overlapping of events disruptive and disrespectful to Sikh traditions. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami accused the Mann government of intentionally sidelining Sikh institutions and calling for avoidable controversy with the Panth. 'Instead of following the cooperative spirit shown by earlier governments, this administration is intruding into Panthic affairs,' Dhami said.'SGPC, as the premier religious body of the Sikh community, holds the rightful authority to lead such historic religious commemorations in coordination with Sikh organisations and sangat (devotees). The role of governments should be to facilitate arrangements for the devotees—not to interfere in religious affairs,' Dhami told India response, CM Mann hit back at the SGPC on Tuesday, questioning if the body held a 'copyright' on organising events for Sikh Gurus. Mann also mentioned that during Prakash Singh Badal's government, similar events were hosted together by the SGPC and the SAD-led Punjab is not the first time that the SGPC or any government excluding SAD is in contradiction. The situation mirrors a similar conflict in 2019, when the SGPC clashed with the then Congress-led government over parallel events for Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary, due in November, carries political weight ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls. For the SAD, struggling with internal divisions and a waning voter base, the commemorations represent a chance to reconnect with the public. Meanwhile, the AAP government seems determined to assert its role in religious and cultural the controversy, preparations are moving ahead at full pace. The state government expects over one crore devotees in Anandpur Sahib and plans to turn the city white for the occasion. A 'tent city' will be erected for visitors, and sound-and-light shows will be held across all 23 districts. Seminars in universities are also on the cards to spread awareness about Guru Tegh Bahadur's legacy. Coordination is underway with Haryana, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir to facilitate the SGPC has stated it will invite leaders from all states to its commemorative events, aiming for inclusivity. However, the body's secretary, Balwinder Singh, claimed he was unaware of any official communication with the Mann the two sides choose to reconcile and organise joint events, it could lead to the unlikely scenario of CM Mann sharing the stage with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal—a politically sensitive prospect, given the SGPC's frequent criticisms of the AAP government.- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Mann govt vs SGPC one-upmanship flares up over Guru Tegh Bahadur martyrdom day plans
The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has yet again locked horns with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-controlled Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), this time over their parallel events to be organised to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. A controversy erupted Tuesday after AAP Minister Harjot Singh Bains unveiled the government's plans to mark Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom anniversary. According to Bains, the state government would hold various events in this regard during November 19-25 this year. This would include a special yatra to be taken out from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on November 19, which CM Mann would flag off. Separate yatras would start simultaneously from the Majha, Malwa and Doaba regions of Punjab and converge on Anandpur Sahib, the Minister said. However, the government's plans have not gone down well with the SGPC, which has been holding a series of its own events across the country since April to mark Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom anniversary. 'The overlapping programmes will not only cause confusion but also go against the long-standing traditions of the Khalsa Panth. The government must focus on creating meaningful memorials rather than adopting a confrontational approach,' SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said Tuesday, alleging that the Mann government's move appears to be a 'deliberate' bid to 'sideline' the Sikh institutions. Pointing out that previous governments had cooperated with the SGPC in commemorating such events and setting up memorials, Dhami asked why the AAP government had not shown the same 'seriousness' during its tenure. 'The current government is instead interfering in the jurisdiction of Panthic institutions and organisations,' he said. Hitting back, CM Mann asked whether the SGPC had a 'copyright' on holding events related to the Sikh Gurus. In 2019, the SGPC had clashed with the then Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government over the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak over the government's proposal to hold separate events. The 350th anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom, which will fall in November, would provide the state's political players a major opportunity to reach out to the people in the run-up to the 2027 Punjab Assembly polls. The SAD in particular, whose electoral fortunes have plunged in recent years amid internal rifts, would look to revive its fortunes. If the AAP government and the SGPC resolve their differences and hold the events together, Mann may be forced to share the stage with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The matter could become tricky for the SGPC itself as it has repeatedly targeted the AAP CM in the past. Despite the row, the Punjab government, which expects over a crore devotees to arrive in Anandpur Sahib, seems to be leaving no stone unturned in preparing for the events. It has planned to hold the sound-and-light shows across all 23 districts of the state apart from various seminars in universities to highlight the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur. As part of its preparations, the AAP government is also planning to transform Anandpur Sahib into a 'white city' and will also set up a 'tent city' to accommodate the visiting devotees. The government is also coordinating with its counterparts in Haryana, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir to ensure smooth conduct of the events. The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Committee leaders also met Mann recently. Dhami said that while the SGPC has planned to invite heads of all state governments to the events to ensure inclusivity, the Mann government's moves raised 'serious concerns'. SGPC secretary Balwinder Singh however said he had no knowledge if the body had communicated with the AAP government.
