*Divisive politics & attempts to create conflict among communities are dangerous for democracy & against the ideals of our martyrs: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

Nawanshahr /KHATKAR KALAN,     (Samajweekly)   (Jatinderpal Singh kaler ) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on divisive politics being promoted across the country, warning that deliberate attempts to create conflict among communities are pushing the nation away from the ideals for which Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and other martyrs sacrificed their lives. Addressing a massive gathering during the “Shukrana Yatra” after paying obeisance at Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s native village Khatkar Kalan, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government has enacted a strict anti-beadbi law to ensure no culprit escapes punishment by exploiting legal loopholes.

Sharing a few snippets of X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, I bowed at the sacred land of Khatkar Kalan, the birthplace of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Ji, and paid tribute to the unparalleled sacrifices of our martyrs. Every step taken by the massive gathering of devotees who joined the Shukrana Yatra is deeply honourable for us.”

“By the immense grace of the Almighty, we have been blessed with the opportunity to enact a strict law against beadbi, for which we remain grateful to Guru Sahib. The universal message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji shows us the path of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’. Our work to protect the religious sentiments of people and ensure the welfare of the public will continue relentlessly,” the post concluded.

Addressing a massive gathering during the “Shukrana Yatra”, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while the Punjab Government is committed to following the path shown by the great martyrs, the dream of freedom envisioned by Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades still remains incomplete. “This is not the India for which our martyrs sacrificed their lives. Today, divisive politics and attempts are constantly being made to create conflicts among communities. This goes against the very spirit of democracy and nationalism,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government is continuously working to fulfil the aspirations of the freedom fighters and will never allow the sacrifices of the martyrs to fade away. He said that a world-class museum is being constructed so that people from across the globe can visit and understand that India’s freedom was not achieved through gifts or favours, but through the supreme sacrifices of priceless gems like Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru and Shaheed Sukhdev.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had begun the “Shukrana Yatra” by paying obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and throughout the journey, devotees welcomed the yatra with flowers and Siropas. He said that this gratitude does not belong to any individual but to the Almighty, who entrusted the Punjab Government with the responsibility of enacting strict laws to stop incidents of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

“The Almighty blessed us with the opportunity to bring and implement a strict law against beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. We have come here to express gratitude for that service,” he said.

Thanking the people, especially mothers and sisters who gathered in huge numbers despite the intense heat, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every incident of beadbi deeply wounded the sentiments of millions of people. He said that while people always hoped the culprits would be punished, legal loopholes repeatedly allowed the accused to walk free by claiming mental instability.

“Many times, accused escaped punishment by saying that their mind was disturbed or that they were mentally unstable. But if someone is truly mentally unstable, why does he target only Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji? Why does he not crash into a train engine or touch live electric wires? The truth is that many such acts were deliberate and orchestrated,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

The Chief Minister said that to prevent misuse of such loopholes, the Punjab Government has incorporated strict provisions in the law under which even if an accused is medically declared mentally unstable, the custodians, parents, guardians or caretakers of that person will also face criminal charges.

He further said that under the law, there will be no bail for at least ten years and in serious cases, punishment can extend to life imprisonment. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the legislation was drafted after extensive consultations with legal experts to ensure that no future loophole or amendment weakens it.

“The Almighty blessed us with the wisdom and strength to bring this law. We drafted it carefully so that nobody can weaken it in future,” he added.

Targeting the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Badal family would never support such a law because their own names were linked to beadbi incidents. He said that people supported them believing they carried forward Baba Nanak’s legacy, but during their tenure Baba Nanak’s Bani was insulted on the streets. “They ordered water cannons and bullets on peacefully protesting devotees. What else can be expected from such people? Ever since this law has been passed, not a single Akali Dal leader is visible in Punjab because they fear that their names may surface,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

The Chief Minister said that dishonest people can never continue receiving the blessings of the Almighty forever. Referring to past political claims by Akali leaders, he said that those who once boasted of ruling Punjab for 25 years are today struggling to even find 25 candidates to contest elections because people have politically rejected them.

Earlier, while addressing the gathering at Balachaur, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it gives him immense happiness to witness massive public participation in the yatra wherever it is reaching. He said that the Punjab Government is honestly fulfilling every responsibility entrusted to it by the people in 2022 and delivering on every promise made to the public.

Highlighting the Punjab Government’s achievements, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across Punjab providing free treatment to people, government schools are being transformed, 90% households are receiving free electricity, sewer systems are being upgraded, hospitals have been modernised and every family in Punjab can avail free treatment up to ₹10 lakh under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.

He further said that farmers are receiving free daytime electricity, nearly 14,000 kilometres of pipelines have been laid and canals revived to ensure that Punjab’s water reaches every field.

Again attacking the Akalis, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that they were never sincere about enacting such a law when they were in power because their intentions were politically motivated. He said that beadbi incidents were allowed to happen for political gains and despite admitting mistakes before Akal Takht Sahib, they later denied them publicly. “Those who can lie before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib can never remain loyal to anyone. People of Punjab must remain cautious of such leaders,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann warned.