Latest news with #anti-Punjab
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
No mercy for people who spread the curse of drugs in Punjab: Bhagwant Mann
Agency: Malerkotla (PB), Jul 18 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that no mercy will be shown to people who had spread the curse of drugs in the state. Speaking after inaugurating new tehsil complexes at Ahmedgarh and Amargarh, he said that the 'Drug Jarnails who were once considered invincible have now been put behind the bars." The resounding success of the ongoing Yudh Nashian Virudh is a testimony that the people stand with the state government in its war against drugs, an official statement quoted Mann as saying. The chief minister claimed that the Congress and Akalis were divided houses as their leaders squabble for power. 'These power hungry politicians can't survive without it. They are getting restless as people have ousted them to opt the Aam Aadmi Party," he said. Mann said the state government will take several pro-people decisions in the coming days and ensure that youth become job-givers instead of job-seekers. He said Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, saints and seers who preached love, harmony and tolerance. However, some 'anti-Punjab forces" have been trying to destroy this fabric of unity by orchestrating sacrilegious acts against holy scriptures since 2016, Mann said, reiterating his government's resolve to ensure exemplary punishment for such culprits. He also highlighted the key public welfare initiatives of the state government, including the recent Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana under which cashless medical treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh will be extended to every family in Punjab. Mann said that Punjab has set a benchmark by providing government jobs to more than 55,000 youths in the last three years. 'The transparent recruitment has increased their faith in the state government. So the youths are shunning the idea of moving abroad and instead prepare for government jobs," he said. PTI SUN RUK RUK view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 23:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab Congress' Bajwa questions intent: ‘Sacrilege Bill handed minutes before debate; CM wants to bulldoze it through House'
Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa Monday slammed the Aam Aadmi Party government for its 'careless and undemocratic approach to the deeply emotive and sensitive issue of sacrilege' by handing over the draft copy of the Bill on sacrilege to Opposition just minutes before its scheduled discussion in the Assembly. Bjawa questioned the government's intent, saying, 'This is not how serious legislative business is conducted, especially on issues that strike at the very heart of Punjab's socio-religious fabric.' Highlighting parliamentary conventions, Bajwa pointed out that opposition parties are normally given at least 48 hours to study and understand a Bill before it is brought to the House for discussion. He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of riding roughshod over democratic procedures and showing complete disregard for legislative norms. 'It appears that Bhagwant Mann wants to bulldoze his decisions without any meaningful debate or scrutiny. This only proves that he has little regard for democratic conventions and is more interested in pleasing his political master, Arvind Kejriwal, than serving the people of Punjab,' said Bajwa. The Congress leader called it deeply unfortunate that such a grave and emotional issue as sacrilege is being reduced to a political stunt by the AAP government. He warned that such behaviour not only erodes the dignity of the Assembly but also diminishes public trust in the government's commitment to justice. Consulted leading legal experts to draft the Bill: Mann Chief Minister Mann said that sacrilege was an emotive and critical issue that concerned every Punjabi. He emphasized that the matter has grave repercussions not only in the present but also for future generations. He said that stringent punishment for this unpardonable offence is the need of the hour to serve as a deterrent to criminals. The Chief Minister reiterated that Punjab is a sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and seers who have shown the path of mutual love and tolerance. However, he lamented that certain anti-Punjab forces have been attempting to destroy the state's social fabric by orchestrating sacrilegious acts of holy granths since 2016. He reaffirmed the state government's firm commitment to ensuring exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of such incidents. Mann added that the government had consulted leading legal experts to draft robust legislation that prevents offenders from evading severe consequences—including sternest punishment for such heinous crimes. Reaffirming his government's dedication to justice, he asserted that every individual involved in these sacrilegious acts, whether directly or indirectly, would face exemplary punishment. He said it is the solemn duty of the state government to ensure that these dreaded criminals are held accountable for their actions.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP sending Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to divide society in Punjab, says LoP Partap Singh Bajwa
Chandigarh: Punjab leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa on Sunday accused BJP of "attempting to create divisions within Punjab's society by sending Nayab Singh Saini to campaign in Ludhiana". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bajwa said Saini's very presence in Punjab was "a cruel reminder of BJP's anti-Punjab policies and its continued efforts to weaken the state's unity". Condemning Saini for his "repeated attacks on Punjab and its people ever since assuming power in Haryana", Bajwa, in a written statement, said, "The people of Punjab have not forgotten the tragedy in which Haryana Police fired upon peaceful farmers protesting for their legitimate rights. " The Congress leader also highlighted "the killing of 22-year-old farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was shot by Haryana police while protesting at Khanauri (Punjab-Haryana border) in February 2024." He said BJP, through leaders like Saini, made several attempts to snatch Punjab's waters, ignoring the legal, historical, and moral rights of Punjabis. "Such moves directly attack the livelihood of our farmers and the very backbone of Punjab's economy," he said. Accusing Saini of "politicising" the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) water-sharing issue, Bajwa stated, "Saini brazenly accused Punjab of denying Haryana even drinking water. "
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Shiromani Akali Dal protests Punjab govt land acquisition and alleged scam in Ludhiana.
Ludhiana: Shiromani Akali Dal's Ludhiana West assembly byelection candidate, advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman, has accused Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt of orchestrating a massive land scam that could devastate Punjab's farmers and economy. Ghumman said the state govt's plan to acquire 24,311 acres of fertile farmland across 32 villages to develop an urban estate was a betrayal of the people. He alleged that the Bhagwant Mann administration was using the pretext of development to misappropriate an estimated ₹125 lakh crore and funnel Punjab's resources to Delhi. "This is not just about farmers — it's an attack on Punjab's economy, identity and the livelihood of common citizens," Ghumman told reporters on Tuesday. He announced that his party will hold a large-scale protest outside the Ferozepur Road office of Glada (Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority) on Wednesday, where it will also submit a memorandum of demands to the authorities concerned. Ghumman criticised the govt's messaging, claiming it was misleading the public by portraying the land acquisition as beneficial to farmers. He pointed to Punjab's economic decline, noting that the state, which once ranked second in the country in 2017, had now fallen to 26th position. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo He also accused the Mann govt of destabilising Punjab's agrarian foundations deliberately. "Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Any move against farmers is a move against the state," he said. Ghumman alleged that more than 15,000 new voter entries had been added post-publication of the final electoral roll, on the ruling party's instructions purportedly. He has warned the govt that if these entries are allowed in the election, the SAD will take the matter to court. "The govt is using every tactic to ruin Punjab," Ghumman alleged. "But we will not tolerate it. Our protest will expose and dismantle the anti-Punjab agenda. " box 'Hoarding row highlights campaign bias' Ghumman further alleged that municipal officials were targeting his campaign hoardings in a "pick and choose" manner, while ignoring violations by rival parties. "AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora's hoardings are visible even outside the constituency, yet no action is taken. Where is this funding coming from?" he asked, citing concerns over election expenditure limits. box '150+ complaints, but no action' The SAD leader claimed his party had submitted more than 150 complaints to the Election Commission regarding violations of the model code of conduct for the Ludhiana West bypoll, but the authority had taken no action. He claimed to have also raised objections against a joint press conference held by the deputy commissioner and AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora. MSID:: 121438649 413 |
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
CM Mann: Move to deploy CISF at Nangal dam draconian, irrational and arbitrary
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Thursday said the BJP-led government at the Centre suffered from 'ant-Punjab syndrome' even as he condemned its move to deploy a contingent of 296 CISF personnel to secure the Nangal dam. Mann asked what the need was to deploy central forces when the Punjab Police was already providing security to the dam. 'The move is aimed at stealing the water of the state by deploying the central forces. It means we get our water looted and also pay for it. We will not allow this,' Mann said. He said that he will raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Niti Aayog meeting scheduled for Saturday. The Centre Wednesday sanctioned a contingent of 296 armed CISF personnel for providing security cover to the Nangal Dam, the move coming amid the standoff between Punjab and Haryana over sharing of water from the dam. In a communication to BBMB, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said quoted a security deposit of Rs 2,90,100 per head and asked the BBMB to transfer Rs 8,58,69,600 (for 296 personnel) to CISF headquarters. 'They say either the BBMB or Punjab will pay this money. What was the need for this when the Punjab Police was already providing security to the dam for free? Why should we give money?' Mann asked. 'I will strongly oppose this move. Centre should understand one thing: we neither have any drop of surplus water for other states nor any single penny to pay the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the unwarranted CISF. We will neither allow money to be given through the BBMB nor from the state exchequer of the Punjab government,' he said while addressing the media in Sangrur. Mann also asked BJP leaders, including their state unit chief Sunil Jakhar, if the Centre's latest move came with their approval. 'If they do not respond, then it will be taken as they were part of this decision,' he said. Lashing out at the BJP-led Centre for deploying CISF, Mann said it must withdraw this decision. 'The dam falls in Punjab's jurisdiction. If Punjab can protect the international border, why can't it protect the dam,' the chief minister asked. He accused the BJP of taking revenge on Punjab as it couldn't make electoral gains in the border state in previous elections. 'Democracy will not work with 'badlakhori' (vengeance),' he said, and added, 'The Modi government is suffering from anti-Punjab syndrome due to which they are hell bent on ruining the state'. The Chief Minister said that the BJP led government has no respect for the federal structure or the constitution adding that every constitutional body has been diluted. He said that credit limit has been decreased, RDF funds have been stalled and now 'this draconian, irrational and arbitrary move will put extra burden on the state exchequer'. Lashing out at the Centre for withholding Punjab's funds, Mann blamed it for displaying bias and discrimination against non-BJP state governments. Further questioning the move, Mann said, 'When any election takes place somewhere (in the country), then why is Punjab Police deployed there? Then they should give us money for that.' He said he would ask PM Narendra Modi if he does not consider Punjab Police capable (of providing security to the dam). The Chief Minister said that states like Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab have been compelled to knock the doors of the Supreme Court to obtain their rightful funds. Describing BBMB as a white elephant, he reiterated that it is totally useless and unacceptable in the present form adding that Punjab will never accept it now. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that BBMB had violated its own constitution by calling meetings in haste under the pressure of the BJP.
