BATHINDA, May 9— Leading the “Shukrana Yatra” through the Malwa heartland, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that Punjab will not fall prey to the “politics of fear” he claims is being imported from other regions. The Chief Minister declared that the BJP and its allies are conspiring to break the state’s historical brotherhood by pitting communities against one another to secure votes.
The Chief Minister maintained that the primary objective of his march is to thank the Almighty for the strength to enact stringent laws against sacrilege. He stated that under the new legal framework, excuses such as mental illness will no longer shield those who desecrate holy texts. Perpetrators and their financial handlers now face fines of up to ₹50 lakh alongside life terms, the Chief Minister affirmed.
Addressing the public at Kotshamir, CM Mann stated that those questioning the patriotism of Punjabis are ignoring the state’s massive sacrifices during the freedom struggle and Partition. He maintained that the RSS and BJP have no standing to judge the loyalty of a people who have consistently stood at the forefront of national defense. “Punjabis who made the highest sacrifices for the nation are now being branded anti-national,” the Chief Minister stated, asserting that such labels are a sign of political desperation.
The Chief Minister also discussed the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna and the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, stating that these initiatives provide essential financial and medical security to millions of families. He affirmed that the government has provided 65,000 jobs to youth based strictly on merit. CM Mann declared that the overwhelming public response to the Yatra reflects an emotional connection with a government that prioritizes the welfare of the common man over nepotism.
