Heart of Punjab: State parties display rare unity amid border tensions with Pak

In a rare display of unity, Punjab’s main political parties, often divided on key issues, stood firmly behind the central government as it launched a major military offensive against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam massacre. With emotions running high, leaders cutting across party lines invoked Punjab’s centuries-old legacy of valour and sacrifice to express their unwavering support to the armed forces and the Centre’s actions on national security.

Punjab Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa invoked the words of Guru Gobind Singh to laud the Punjabi soldiers for their dedication. “Our soldiers live by the words of Guru Gobind Singh—‘Deh Shiva bar mohe ehe-subh karman te kabho na taron (May I never ever shirk from good deeds and never fear while going to war. And with my determination, I will emerge victorious)’”.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring dubbed Pakistan as an “evil nation that was always up to something wrong”. “Our armed forces will chase you (Pakistani terrorists and perpetrators of terror activities) to hell and bury you there,” said Warring.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was unequivocal in praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “strength and clear approach in dealing with terrorists and the enemies of peace”. He also congratulated the armed forces and the country’s people for inflicting a crushing defeat on terrorists and their sponsors in Pakistan.

Appreciating PM Modi for his diplomatic handling of the situation after forcing the Pakistan army to “run for cover and beg for a ceasefire through Washington”, Sukhbir said, “If truce wasn’t achieved, Punjab would have borne the brunt of a full-blown war, suffering maximum loss of life and property.”

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the state was “proud of its brave Army, and that the people of Punjab stood shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers”. At the same time, Mann pointed out that “Punjab had always been the first to bear the brunt of escalation of hostilities on the border”. Demanding a special package, he said Punjab needed to be “compensated for this enormous contribution”.

BJP state president Sunil Jakhar had, in an interview, pointed out that he “still believed in peace”. “But it takes two to tango. War is not what you see on TV screens—it’s not just loss of lives or destruction, it carries a very, very heavy financial cost,” he said.

Jakhar also said Pakistan was trying to appease the jihadi lobby and its army had to justify its existence. “India is never keen on escalation. The action (Operation Sindoor) we took was precise, measured and calibrated. If pushed, India is more than capable of responding,” added Jakhar.