Latest news with #Punjabiyat
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Punjab deserves rule of law, not the rule by propaganda…': Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa
Marred by factionalism and bitter war words among its leaders in public, Congress in Punjab has several challenges ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. However, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa terms the factionalism as a 'manufactured narrative' and claims no Congress leader has spoken in favour of former minister and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia who has been arrested in a disproportionate assets case. Intense factionalism has once again reared its head in Punjab Congress and was visible in Ludhiana byelection. Questions are now being raised on the ability of Congress to win 2027 elections amidst bitter infighting. Your comments The so-called factionalism in Punjab Congress is more of a manufactured narrative, driven by sections of the media and amplified by vested interests. What we are witnessing is a deliberate attempt by the BJP, a party that survives by dividing people on the basis of religion, caste, language, and region. They have mastered the politics of polarisation across India, and now they are trying to inject that same poison into Punjab's political environment. AAP has become a willing partner in this deception. BJP and AAP are two sides of the same coin when it comes to exploiting people's emotions for political gains. Congress, on the other hand, stands united in its commitment to Punjab's peace, prosperity, and Punjabiyat. We will expose these divisive forces, and I am confident that in 2027, the people will reject hate and confusion. AAP has targeted Congress leadership for speaking in favour of Bikram Majithia in the recent Vigilance Bureau case. Every senior Congress leader had attacked Majithia in the past so how do you justify speaking in his favour? Once again, a section of the media has chosen to amplify the false narrative crafted by AAP's publicity machinery. No Congress leader has spoken in favour of Majithia or asked investigative agencies to shield anyone involved in the drug trade. Our stand has been consistent: whoever is guilty, irrespective of their party, position, or background, must face the full force of the law. But at the same time, agencies must function within the framework of the law, not under political pressure or for media spectacle. Let's also expose AAP's hypocrisy. They registered the FIR under provisions related to disproportionate assets — not under NDPS Act. This is classic 'shoot and scoot' politics by AAP — make noise, defame people, and later quietly apologise, as their so-called 'Supreme Leader' has done many times before. Punjab deserves rule of law, not rule by propaganda. And Congress will always stand for lawful, transparent governance — not for misuse of agencies to score political points. After Ludhiana now there are two more bypolls to be held in Banga and Tarn Taran. What will be the Congress strategy following the adverse performance in Ludhiana West? There was no adverse performance by Congress in Ludhiana West. What actually happened was a systematic misuse of police, administration, and state machinery by AAP to intimidate voters and suppress democratic participation. The voter turnout speaks volumes. People were not convinced by AAP's governance, and many chose to stay away from the polls due to fear of harassment and repercussions. Congress is not deterred. In the upcoming byelections in Banga and Tarn Taran, we will ensure that people are able to exercise their right to vote freely, without fear or manipulation. Our strategy will focus on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots, exposing AAP's misgovernance, and ensuring every voter knows they have a voice — free from fear, free from pressure. Given your recent concerns about rising crime and gang-related activities in Punjab, what steps do you think are necessary to strengthen law enforcement and ensure public safety? Punjab today is witnessing complete collapse of law and order. Gangsters are not hiding anymore — they are running extortion rackets, threatening people openly. Lawrence Bishnoi gave an interview from a CIA facility with the clear connivance of police authorities. What bigger proof of administrative failure do you need? We've already paid a heavy price — the brutal murder of Sidhu Moosewala exposed the government's incompetence. Let's not forget — the police force reflects the leadership at the top. And today, that leadership is missing. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio, is busy in social media photo-ops while gangsters expand their control over the state. We need serious reforms — depoliticized policing, modern intelligence systems, strict jail accountability, and dismantling of criminal networks — not hollow slogans. Punjab deserves safety, not a government addicted to headlines. Punjab is grappling with a high debt burden. What are your suggestions for improving the state's fiscal health without burdening the common man? How can the state balance welfare schemes with the need for financial discipline? Punjab, once the economic engine of India and the symbol of the Green Revolution, now finds itself struggling under a crippling debt burden. With debt levels projected to reach Rs 4 lakh crore by March 2026, the situation is alarming. The hard facts are sobering. Punjab's share in country's GDP has steadily declined — from over 4% in the 1980s to barely 2.5% today. Our per capita income, once among the highest, has now been overtaken by states like Haryana, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Agriculture, which was once the backbone of our economy, is under severe stress. Landholdings have shrunk below 3 acres per family, and rising input costs have made farming increasingly unsustainable for the average farmer. We must reinvent Punjab's economy with urgency, clarity, and vision. The way forward requires bold steps. Punjab has immense potential to become a hub for food processing, agro-technology, and precision manufacturing — particularly in producing agricultural implements for farmers across the world. With proper infrastructure, our youth can also drive growth in IT, startups, and green technology, just like their peers from Punjab have done abroad. We must diversify our economic base, protect our environment, and embrace modern, sustainable industries.
NDTV
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Amid Sardaar Ji 3 Row, BJP Leader Hobby Dhaliwal Supports Diljit Dosanjh: "Punjab, Punjabi, And Punjabiyat Are With You"
Chandigarh (Punjab): BJP leader and actor Hobby Dhaliwal has come out in support of Punjabi actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh amid the ongoing controversy over his film Sardaar Ji 3, featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Speaking to ANI, Dhaliwal expressed, "Even before this, many artists from Pakistan have worked in India. We are in favour of Diljit Dosanjh. The stages where the world's biggest artists dream of performing, our Punjabi gabru, with a turban on his head, proclaims 'Punjabi aa gaye oye '. When he goes to the same stage with the tricolour in his hand, then our pride becomes even greater. Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiyat are with you, Diljit." The singer-actor has been facing a massive backlash for collaborating with a Pakistani artist, Hania Aamir, in his film Sardaar Ji 3. The timing has added fuel to the ongoing controversy, as tensions between India and Pakistan remain high following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Sardaar Ji 3 was released in theatres on June 27, 2025, but was not released in India. Meanwhile, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees had sent a letter to the makers of Border 2, urging them to cut all ties with Diljit. "Your involvement risks sending a deeply conflicting message, especially given your influence as a director known for socially resonant therefore, strongly appeal to you to reconsider your collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh and withdraw from associating with any artist who has been officially boycotted by FWICE. Upholding the dignity of our industry and the nation must remain paramount over professional or commercial interests," the letter read. Despite skipping a theatrical release in India due to backlash towards the casting of Pakistani actor Hania Aamir, the film has found success in Pakistan. The horror comedy has reportedly gone housefull in Pakistani cinemas, showcasing Diljit's enduring popularity across borders.
India Gazette
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
"Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiyat are with you": BJP leader Hobby Dhaliwal supports Diljit Dosanjh amid 'Sardaar Ji 3' backlash
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 28 (ANI): BJP leader and actor Hobby Dhaliwal has come out in support of Punjabi actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh amid the ongoing controversy over his film Sardaar Ji 3, featuring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. Speaking to ANI, Dhaliwal expressed, 'Even before this, many artists from Pakistan have worked in India... We are in favour of Diljit Dosanjh... The stages where the world's biggest artists dream of performing, our Punjabi gabru, with a turban on his head, proclaims 'Punjabi aa gaye oye'. When he goes to the same stage with the tricolour in his hand, then our pride becomes even greater... Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiyat are with you, Diljit.' The singer-actor has been facing a massive backlash for collaborating with a Pakistani artist, Hania Aamir, in his film 'Sardaar Ji 3'. The timing has added fuel to the ongoing controversy, as tensions between India and Pakistan remain high following the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Sardaar Ji 3 was released in theatres on 27 June but was not released in India. Meanwhile, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees had sent a letter to the makers of Border 2, urging them to cut all ties with Diljit. 'Your involvement risks sending a deeply conflicting message, especially given your influence as a director known for socially resonant therefore, strongly appeal to you to reconsider your collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh and withdraw from associating with any artist who has been officially boycotted by FWICE. Upholding the dignity of our industry and the nation must remain paramount over professional or commercial interests,' the letter read. (ANI)
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kejriwal threatening voters to stop development works if Arora not elected: Complaint to CEO
Citing the recent speeches of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal who has been campaigning for the party's Ludhiana West bypoll candidate Sanjeev Arora, Ludhiana resident- cum-social activist Kimti Rawal, 57, has filed a complaint against him to Punjab's chief electoral officer (CEO) that the AAP chief was 'directly threatening the voters to stop developmental works in the constituency if they won't vote for Arora'. 'Although I am a member of BJP's RTI cell, I have filed this complaint as a common voter as it is a crime to threaten voters by saying that their developmental works won't be done if they will vote for Opposition party's candidate. The Election Commission needs to take strict notice of how the chief of the ruling party is openly making such threatening statements as video evidence is available in all official videos released by the party,' Rawal said. Requesting for 'legal action against open and direct threat to voters of Ludhiana', Rawal in his complaint wrote: 'The creator of the Indian Constitution, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, has given every citizen of India this legal right to vote for anyone according to his/her own opinion without any bias, fear, and without any discrimination. It is a legal crime to intimidate a voter in any way. The Indian Constitution has appointed the Election Commission as the responsible body for conducting a fair and impartial election system.' 'The elections for Ludhiana West constituency are going to be held on 19 June 2025, for which the entire government staff of the Punjab government has been put on alert… It seems this is not an election, but a war is being fought… Aam Aadmi Party's National Convener Shri Arvind Kejriwal directly threatened the voters of the West constituency, saying, 'If you vote for any other candidate and win, there will be no development work in your area.. The government is ours',' reads the complaint. 'In several of his campaign speeches in Ludhiana, Kejriwal said: 'Jiski sarkaar hai ussi ka MLA banana (Elect only that party's MLA who is running the government).' 'Kejriwal also said that Mr Sanjeev Arora is a rich man. Apart from the government, he can also spend money from his own pocket. I am sending you copies of his statement and video clip as evidence, which directly intimidates and lures the voters to vote for his candidate who is a current Rajya Sabha member. It is a crime to threaten the voters this way…The voters of Ludhiana West should be allowed to fulfil their responsibility to vote impartially and fearlessly and protect the rights of Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiyat. The Hon'ble Supreme Court should be informed about his intimidation and threats to the Punjabis,' said Rawal in his complaint. In one of his recent speeches, Kejriwal said: 'A man came to me and I asked him 'for whom will you vote?' He said (Bharat Bhushan) Ashu (Congress candidate). I asked why. He said because 'I am a traditional Congress supporter'. I said tell me one thing. If the road in front of your house needs repairs, if you stop getting water supply, or if there's any other issue.. who will get your works done? Ashu can't get your works done because he is in Congress whereas government in Punjab is of AAP and CM Bhagwant Mann is ours. From will Ashu get funds and power to get your works done? Ashu is in Opposition who can neither get your roads made nor parks. Hence vote for AAP if you want your works done.' Reacting to the complaint, Punjab AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said: 'It is not a threat. He just means to say that if the MLA and government are of the same party, then there will be better coordination for conducting development works at a faster pace. BJP often says that there should be 'double engine' sarkaar at the Centre and in the state. We only mean to say that it will only lead to better coordination if the MLA and the state government are from the same party.' Punjab chief electoral officer Sibin C said: 'We have to check and examine the parts of speech in the context of model code of conduct (MCC) rules to see if there has been any violation. Action will be taken accordingly.' Divya Goyal is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Punjab. Her interest lies in exploring both news and feature stories, with an effort to reflect human interest at the heart of each piece. She writes on gender issues, education, politics, Sikh diaspora, heritage, the Partition among other subjects. She has also extensively covered issues of minority communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. She also explores the legacy of India's partition and distinct stories from both West and East Punjab. She is a gold medalist from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, the most revered government institute for media studies in India, from where she pursued English Journalism (Print). Her research work on 'Role of micro-blogging platform Twitter in content generation in newspapers' had won accolades at IIMC. She had started her career in print journalism with Hindustan Times before switching to The Indian Express in 2012. Her investigative report in 2019 on gender disparity while treating women drug addicts in Punjab won her the Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity in 2020. She won another Laadli for her ground report on the struggle of two girls who ride a boat to reach their school in the border village of Punjab. ... Read More
Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mann is just ‘mukhota', Punjab govt being run by AAP's ‘rejected leaders': Delhi CM
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday alleged that her Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann is just a 'mukhota' (mask) as his government is being run by the AAP leaders, who have been 'rejected' by people of the national capital. She was speaking to reporters in Ludhiana while campaigning for BJP candidate Jiwan Gupta for the June 19 byelection to Ludhiana West seat. Launching a scathing attack on the AAP-led Punjab government, Gupta said drug menace is rampant in the state. She added that 'Punjab has been converted into a Chitta Express' under the AAP's rule. Gupta said the people of Ludhiana West will vote wisely and make the BJP candidate victorious. She also claimed that AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had made 'tall promises' to the people of Delhi as well as Punjab but now stood exposed. She also accused him of 'widespread corruption and mismanagement during AAP's 10 years in power in Delhi.' Gupta said that 'new cases have been filed against Kejriwal and his team', adding 'that those currently out on bail could soon be imprisoned.' Gupta criticized the AAP government in Delhi for 'failing to present a single CAG report in the assembly over the past decade'. She also highlighted that former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia has failed to respond to summons. Gupta asked the AAP what is the fate of their promises to improve health infrastructure and schools. 'What about your promise to end drug problem in Punjab? What have you done for these years?…People have died due to consumption of spurious liquor in Punjab, what are you doing? Kejriwal should answer what happened to his promises. I will not ask Mann as he is only a 'mukhota' (mask), the government here is being run by their leaders from Delhi who have been rejected by the people there,' she said. Gupta accused Kejriwal of displaying 'false Punjabiyat today'. 'When you were in power in Delhi for a decade, not even one minister in Kejriwal's Cabinet was from the Sikh community. Did you not find them able? While in power in Delhi, you never did anything for the Sikhs,' she said. Gupta said the process of delivering justice to the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims truly began after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power. She also said that her government recently handed over job appointment letters to the families of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims. In present BJP government in Delhi, you will see a minister from the Sikh community, from the Punjabi community, she added. Escalating her attack, Gupta said Mann has been made powerless. 'The chief minister is seen only in the advertisements, what have you left him with. Entire administration in Punjab is being run by the rejected AAP leaders of Delhi. Be it (Manish) Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Bibhav Kumar, Raghav Chadha. Who among them is of Punjab origin? Who among these knows the problems of Punjab? They are only power hungry. They lost power in Delhi and quickly descended on Punjab,' she said. She added, 'People of Delhi took 10 years to send Kejriwal out of power, but Punjabis are wiser enough to make a good choice, and they have understood completely that time has come to give farewell to the AAP government from here as well.'
