Can’t browbeat Punjabis: CM Mann promises to fight for state’s rights

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday vowed to fight for the rights of Punjab, including over its river waters, educational institutions and the capital city of Chandigarh.

Addressing a one-day special Vidhan Sabha session here this afternoon, Mann said Anandpur Sahib was the place from where the fight for truth and rights began during the time of Guru Tegh Bahadur. “From this holy land, I want to send a clear message that whosoever believes that Punjab will abandon its rightful claims — be it over our river waters, our capital Chandigarh or our Panjab University — is sadly mistaken. Punjabis were at the forefront of India’s freedom struggle and till date we continue to guard the country’s borders — from Jaisalmer to Kargil our soldiers’ courage never falters and our soldiers continue to make the supreme sacrifice,” he said.

Without naming the BJP-led Centre for the recent episodes that have rattled Punjabis and are seen by most as an attempt to usurp the rights of the state, Mann said, “Let no one think that Punjab will bow before those trying to browbeat Punjabis. When approached with love, Punjabis give love back in abundance. But if provoked like this, Punjab will rise to protest, because we know how to resist atrocities,” he said.

Asked after the session why no one from the Centre came to the events organised here, Mann said he tried to seek time from the PM several times in order to invite him, but the PM was perhaps busy campaigning in Bihar. “We still have a day left to commemorate the anniversary. Let us hope that better sense prevails and someone comes here on Tuesday,” he said, adding that religious and political leaders from across the country had come here after accepting the state government’s invite.

When Mann began his speech, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira tried to disrupt it, alleging that he was not given time to speak, but Mann was unprovoked. “Today is not a day for noise or disruption, it is a day for humility, for bowing in reverence. May the Almighty bless all with wisdom, especially those who think otherwise,” he said. Later, while thanking all members of the House, especially the Opposition, for rising above politics and expressing unity, he said, “I must say that as in every lot of tomatoes, one or two might turn out bad”.

Mann said all attending the session were blessed to be at the birthplace of the Khalsa, where the call for truth and justice first echoed in 1699. “Many MLAs have shared their thoughts on the unparalleled sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur. That was the purpose of holding this session here on this specific day, which also marks the martyrdom of Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala. They endured merciless torture to defend the right to practise one’s faith freely. A poet once wrote: I have freed a bird from its cage, now the cage must be removed from its heart.” Guru Tegh Bahadur liberated the hearts of people enslaved by fear,” he said.

Mann said he was thankful that as the “sewadar of Punjab”, he got the opportunity to take the lead in making arrangements to commemorate the anniversary. “Some doubted whether this Assembly could practically meet outside Chandigarh. But when intentions are pure, the divine intervention ensures that everything goes perfectly,” he said.