Row over cops ‘guarding’ Punjab CM’s shoes

A row erupted after the copy of an alleged police order regarding the deployment of two policemen to take care of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s shoes during his proposed visit to the historic gurdwara Darbar Sahib went viral.

Not just netizens, even Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu commented on the matter. Bittu wrote on Facebook, “Maharaja Satoj ji, you can put as many people you want on your shoes, but now it is the people... who will target you with these.”

Jalandhar Cantt Congress MLA Pargat Singh posted, “Now, special police duty has been assigned to protect the Chief Minister’s shoes? Wish the same concern was shown for protecting the institutions and rights of Punjab!”

According to alleged order, Head Constable Roop Singh from Faridkot and Constable Sarbat Singh from Ferozepur were deputed on “duty on shoes of CM (plain clothes) at gate No. 7 (Darbar Sahib).” Repeated attempts to contact Head Constable Roop Singh on the phone number given on the “order” proved futile.

Muktsar SP (Headquarters) Rajan Sharma said, “The Muktsar police have not issued any such order. The copy of the fabricated order circulating on social media does not bear any number. Moreover, the CM had no plan to visit the gurdwara.”

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, during a public address at Sri Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, indirectly responded to the controversy. Mann said, “Do these political opponents have any roadmap for Punjab? They can only level allegations about slippers and shoes. They may even comment on the clothes of our mothers and sisters. Are these the real issues of Punjab? They cannot make a single allegation regarding corruption or the recruitment process in the state.”