Amritsar/Tarn Taran: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is leading a four-day ‘Shukrana Yatra' after the passage of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, on Thursday faced questions from jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh's mother over his continued detention outside Punjab despite the revocation of the National Security Act (NSA).
During the yatra at Rayya in Amritsar district, Amritpal Singh's mother, Balwinder Kaur, held Mann's hand at Ferozman Chowk and asked why the elected MP had not been brought back to Punjab. She also questioned Punjab government's silence on the issue. Balwinder said mothers in Punjab were deeply hurt over Amritpal's continued detention. She alleged that the Punjab government was working under pressure from Delhi and suppressing democratic voices and Sikh concerns. People present there also questioned why Amritpal continued to remain outside Punjab despite the NSA no longer being in force.
Earlier, Mann paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and said the yatra was meant to thank the Almighty for giving his government the opportunity to enact a stringent anti-sacrilege law. The yatra began from Takht Keshgarh Sahib and will continue till May 9. Mann claimed the Sikh sangat across Punjab was welcoming the law.
Launching an attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Mann alleged that Akali leaders failed to deliver justice in sacrilege cases during their tenure. 'Except the Akalis, the entire Sikh sangat is welcoming the law,' he claimed. At Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib, Mann alleged that 'Akalis themselves were involved in beadbi, which is why they could never bring such legislation'. He also questioned the functioning of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), saying its elections had not been held for 14 years.
Targeting SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, Mann alleged that only the Badal family was opposing the anti-sacrilege law while the larger Sikh sangat supported it.
To bring tougher anti-drug law: Mann
Jalandhar: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said his government would soon introduce a stringent anti-drug law under which properties of drug smugglers would be confiscated and stricter punishment ensured for those involved in narcotics trade.
Addressing gatherings during his ‘Shukrana Yatra', Mann said easy bail for drug accused would also be curbed. 'Properties of drug smugglers will be confiscated, they will face strict punishment and easy bail will no longer be possible. Earlier, many accused even got bail directly from police stations. This system will end,' he said.
AAP projects communal harmony
Jalandhar: While Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday accused the BJP of trying to create divisions between Hindus and Sikhs, the AAP highlighted themes of communal harmony during the CM's 'Shukrana Yatra' linked to the new anti-sacrilege law.
The main event in Jalandhar city was held in the Hindu-majority Jalandhar Central constituency, where constituency in-charge Nitin Kohli presented Mann with a picture of the Golden Temple and a kirpan. Kohli said the public participation in the event reflected support for steps taken to protect religious sentiments and maintain communal harmony in Punjab. 'The Shukrana Yatra is not just a political or social event, it stands as a symbol of Punjab's unity, reverence, community and collective respect for Sikh values and traditions,' he said.
