CM Bhagwant Singh Mann targets BJP over divisive politics during Punjab Shukrana Yatra

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann accused BJP and communal forces of trying to disturb Punjab’s harmony during the Shukrana Yatra while highlighting the new anti-sacrilege law, welfare schemes, irrigation reforms and development initiatives introduced by the AAP government across the state.

New Delhi: 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 Rs 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........

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