Punjab police placed four leaders under house arrest on Sunday ahead of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's 'Lok Milni' public interaction programme in Faridkot district, in a move to prevent potential protests.
Detained Leaders and Their Intentions
The detained leaders include Gursewak Singh Bhana of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Sharanjit Singh Sran of All India Kishhan Union (Fateh), and Waheguru Singh and Sarwan Singh of Babria Samaj Morcha. They had reportedly planned to attend the event to directly question the CM regarding long-pending community demands and alleged unfulfilled promises, according to sources.
Police have restricted their movement and barred them from leaving their homes until the CM's event concluded. The leaders claimed their primary intention was to peacefully participate in the Lok Milni programme to raise questions about justice regarding the sacrilege cases and other Panthic issues.
Political Reactions and Accusations
Following their house arrest, the leaders strongly criticized the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of backtracking on its election promises. They alleged that the government is trying to muzzle the voice of dissent and run away from answering the public.
During the Lok Milni event held at Panjgrain Kalan village in Faridkot earlier this week, Mann had fiercely attacked opposition leaders and religious bodies, strongly defending his administration's newly proposed anti-sacrilege laws.
Broader Implications
The preemptive detention of local Panthic leaders has sparked a fresh political debate over the suppression of peaceful questioning during public outreach programmes. Critics argue that such actions undermine democratic dialogue and the purpose of public interactions.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the state government and community groups over issues such as sacrilege cases, which remain a sensitive topic in Punjab politics.
