Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday strongly criticized the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Badal family, accusing them of exploiting religion for political gains. Addressing a gathering at Mandi Kalan village in Bathinda district, Mann termed the proposed 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' (religious war campaign) by SAD as 'Dharam Virudh Morcha' (anti-religion campaign).
Mann accuses SAD of using religion as a shield
Mann claimed that the SAD leadership has repeatedly taken shelter behind religious issues whenever it finds itself politically cornered. "Those who could not stand by religion have no right to talk about a 'Dharam Yudh Morcha'. They have used religion for their own interests," he said. The CM asserted that he was not afraid of such campaigns and emphasized that the Akal Takht commands the respect and reverence of every Sikh. However, he alleged that certain individuals occupying positions there act selectively. "I urge people to free religion from the influence of some individuals and liberate gurdwaras from 'masands' (self-serving intermediaries)," Mann added.
Appeal for SGPC elections
The Chief Minister also appealed to the central government to conduct elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body responsible for managing gurdwaras in Punjab. This comes amid ongoing tensions between the state government and certain religious institutions.
Mann avoids criticizing BJP, targets Congress
Interestingly, Mann refrained from criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during his speech, instead focusing his attacks on the Badal family and the Congress party. He spoke about "leadership struggles" within the Congress and claimed that it has several chief ministerial aspirants but no united leadership. This selective criticism has raised eyebrows, given the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) earlier strong stance against the BJP.
Background: Video controversy
Mann has been under attack from opposition parties over the circulation of a video purportedly showing him committing blasphemy. The video, which surfaced recently, led to widespread condemnation from Sikh religious groups and political opponents. However, Mann has dismissed the allegations, calling them a conspiracy to defame him.
Job fair in Bathinda
Earlier in the day, the CM participated in a function in Bathinda where he handed over appointment letters to 665 individuals for jobs in the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). This move is part of the state government's efforts to address unemployment, a key issue in Punjab.
