LEADERS RAISE CONCERNS OVER DRUGS, GANGSTERISM AND LAW & ORDER; PAY TRIBUTE TO THE 40 MUKTAS, CALL FOR ‘DOUBLE-ENGINE’ GOVERNMENT IN PUNJAB
Face2News/Chandigarh / Sri Muktsar Sahib
Punjab and Haryana are not merely neighbouring states; they are bound by culture, history and blood relations. When Punjab faced a natural calamity, the people of Haryana came forward wholeheartedly to help, but at that time, the AAP government of Punjab and Ex Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were nowhere to be seen.
This was stated by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini while addressing a rally* during the first conference organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab on the occasion of the Maghi Mela at the sacred land of Sri Muktsar Sahib, the land of the 40 Muktas. He accused the AAP government of failing to fulfil promises made to farmers, saying that even after four years, Punjab’s farmers are still waiting for justice.
In contrast, the BJP’s double-engine government in Haryana is providing farmers with crop procurement at MSP, timely payments, compensation for crop losses, health schemes, and social welfare benefits.
*Saini said that* Sikh history symbolises valour, sacrifice, and the path of truth. Paying homage to the unparalleled martyrdom of the 40 Muktas, he said that under the leadership of Bhai Maha Singh and Mai Bhago Ji, the Muktas laid down their lives at the feet of the Tenth Master, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and attained true liberation.
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, in his address, paid homage to the martyrdom of the 40 Muktas and levelled serious allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress from the sacred land of Sri Muktsar Sahib. He said that this fair is not merely a religious event, but a symbol of martyrdom, sacrifice and devotion to the Guru Sahibs.
Today, a well-planned campaign is being run in Punjab against Sikh traditions and Guru maryadas. He accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of repeatedly making controversial statements and taking contentious steps regarding Guru Rehat Maryada and gurdwara matters.
Referring to the 1984 Sikh massacre, *Tarun Chugh* said that the Congress protected the guilty for years, but after 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cases were reopened and action was initiated against the culprits. He also sought clarification from the current Punjabi leaders of the Congress on this issue. The BJP leader appealed to the people to unite in support of the BJP to uphold the honour of gurdwaras and Punjabi identity, and to oust the “forces that insult the Gurus” from power.
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar*, while paying homage to the great martyrdom of the 40 Muktas during the first-ever state-level conference organised by the BJP at Sri Muktsar Sahib on the holy occasion of Maghi, said that the party is moving forward with full commitment for the welfare of Punjab with the blessings of the Guru Sahibs. He said that the BJP understands its responsibility towards Punjab and that only the BJP can pull the state out of the current difficult phase.
Sunil Jakhar said that Punjab today is facing serious challenges such as drugs, corruption, gangsterism, and a deteriorating law and order situation. He claimed that to strengthen social harmony and move forward on the path of development, there is a need for a strong and capable government like the BJP. Referring to steps taken by the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that several historic decisions—such as the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor—were taken, which previous governments had never even imagined. He strongly condemned the statement of Congress state in-charge Bhupesh Baghel, who termed the appointment of Charanjit Singh Channi as Chief Minister in 2021 a “mistake”. Jakhar said that if the Congress considers appointing a person from the SC community as Chief Minister a mistake, it reflects the party’s divisive mindset, which Punjab will never accept.
Attacking the Aam Aadmi Party, *Sunil Jakhar said* that corruption has peaked during the tenure of the present government, and the law and order situation has become extremely bad. He asserted that only the BJP can pull Punjab out of these circumstances.
*Punjab BJP Working State President Ashwani Sharma*, while addressing the rally during the BJP’s political conference at the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib, said that this land inspires us to stand against oppression. He said that the atmosphere in Punjab today is alarming and the rule of law in the state has almost collapsed. Launching a sharp attack on the AAP government, Sharma said that the government formed on the promise of a “Rangla Punjab” has reduced Punjab to penury. He claimed that incidents of firing, murders and crime are occurring daily in the state. A government that cannot ensure the safety of its sarpanches and public representatives cannot keep ordinary citizens safe.
Referring to Valtoha village, *Ashwani Sharma said* that after the murder of the sarpanch, the entire village is living in fear, with people facing threats of displacement or extortion. He said that people in border areas themselves are saying that they now want the strict rule of law.
He also cornered the AAP government on issues of MGNREGA, welfare schemes for the poor, and farmers. *Ashwani Sharma said* that funds sent by the central government did not reach the poor, and promises made to farmers regarding MSP remained unfulfilled. He claimed that in Haryana, the BJP government provides MSP on 24 crops. Only the BJP, he said, can bring rule of law, drug eradication, and development to Punjab. He called upon people to unite to build a “Sohna Punjab”.
*Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu launched* sharp attacks on the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress, and the Akali Dal. He said that during previous governments—whether Congress or Akali—those involved in sacrilege, loot, and the drug trade were never punished, and today the Aam Aadmi Party is following the same path. Bittu alleged that the AAP misused government buses and resources to mobilise crowds for rallies. Around 6,000 employees from across the state were deployed for security and every bus was closely monitored, reflecting misuse of the government machinery.
Referring to comments made about the Guru Sahibs in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, *Union Minister Bittu said* that this amounted to an insult to Sikhism and the sentiments of Punjabis. He demanded that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann publicly apologise and clarify that he has no connection with the remarks made about the Guru Sahibs. He also levelled serious allegations of corruption against the AAP, claiming that money was being deposited abroad and proper accounts were not presented before investigative agencies. Bittu said that a “double-engine” government is essential for the progress of the country and Punjab, and appealed to people to vote unitedly in favour of the BJP.
*Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Himachal Pradesh, Anurag Thakur*, paid homage to the martyrdom of the 40 Muktas and said that under the leadership of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, these brave martyrs made unparalleled sacrifices to protect religion, the Panth and the nation. He also paid tributes to Mai Bhago Ji and Mata Bhag Kaur.
Launching a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party, *Anurag Thakur* condemned the Delhi Chief Minister’s remarks about the Guru Sahibs and said such disrespect cannot be tolerated. He demanded clarification and an apology from Bhagwant Mann. He said that to put Punjab back on the path of progress, people must unite to strengthen the BJP.
On this occasion, former Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, also attacked the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, saying that Sri Muktsar Sahib is a sacred land where the Guru Sahibs directly challenged oppression, but today Punjab feels insecure. He said that murders, robberies and crimes are increasing daily in the state, whereas peace and law and order should be the top priority of any government. Lalpura claimed that land and sand mafias have become rampant in Punjab. Referring to the promises made by the AAP before elections, he said that claims of curbing corruption and providing economic relief have failed on the ground and Punjab’s debt is increasing. Punjab now needs new thinking and strong policies. Referring to the work done by the central government for the Sikh community, he said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has progressed rapidly. He appealed to the people to follow the path shown by the Guru Sahibs, connect Punjab with the nation’s progress and give the BJP an opportunity.
Former National Vice President Avinash Rai Khanna, State General Secretary Organisation Manthri Srinivasulu, Dayal Singh Sodhi, Anil Sarin, Rakesh Rathore, Parminder Singh Brar (all State General Secretaries), former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, former Union Minister Maharani Preneet Kaur, former Minister Rana Sodhi, former Minister Tikshan Sood, former MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon, former MLA Arvind Khanna, Sarabdeep Singh Virk (former DGP, Punjab), S.P.S. Gill (former DGP, Jammu & Kashmir), Amanjot Kaur Ramuwalia (BJP National Council Member), State Secretary Suraj Bhardwaj, along with a large number of BJP leaders at the state and national levels, were present.