Punjab CM’s R-Day venue shifted to Patiala after pro-Khalistan graffiti at Faridkot

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will now unfurl the Tricolour at Patiala on Republic Day. Originally, the function was scheduled to be held at the Nehru Sports Stadium in Faridkot.

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The Polo Ground at Patiala has been the venue for such functions over the past couple of years, mainly due to security reasons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally during the parliamentary elections last year was also held at the same venue.

The shifting of venue comes after pro-Khalistan graffiti appeared on the outer walls of Nehru Stadium in Faridkot on Thursday morning. Khalistan flags were also seen in the neighbourhood.

Earlier in the day, the government had ordered to hold the event at Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh (Shaurya Chakra) Government College, Mohali. Official orders confirmed that now Water Resource, Mining and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal would unfurl the Tricolour there.

The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has claimed responsibility for the graffiti at the Faridkot stadium. Two days ago, Shive Kumar Verma, ADGP, Internal Security, had visited the stadium to review security arrangements for the CM’s scheduled visit. Though heavy police deployment was made at and around the stadium, miscreants managed to paint the walls of the stadium with pro-Khalistan slogans.

The police have launched an investigation into the incident, registering a criminal case under Sections 196, 197, 61(2) of the BNS and Section 3 of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act. A case has been registered against SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and some unidentified members of the organisation.

After the graffiti was discovered, Pannun released a video making inflammatory statements and issuing threats to CM Mann. In the video, he called upon the youth to display Khalistan flags on Republic Day, instead of the Tricolour.

Investigating officer Jagtar Singh said efforts were being made to identify those responsible for the graffiti. Senior officials, including Jasmeet Singh, SP(D), Faridkot, and other civil and police officials, have inspected the site. Khalistan flags were confiscated and the graffiti was promptly painted over in black.