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Majitha (Amritsar): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) leadership, alleging that the SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami had become a “soldier of Sukhbir Singh Badal instead of serving the Guru Sahiban,” a situation he described as deeply painful for the Sikh Panth.
Addressing a public gathering in Majitha after laying the foundation stone of 23 rural link roads worth ₹11.32 crore, the Chief Minister said the people of Punjab would not allow any attempt to push the state back into the era of beadbi (sacrilege) and goondagardi witnessed during the Akali Dal rule.
“It would have given me heartfelt happiness if the SGPC president considered himself a soldier of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji. But today, he proudly calls himself a soldier of Sukhbir Badal. What good can be expected from such conduct?” Mann said.
Referring to the controversy surrounding the 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Chief Minister said the state government was forced to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) only because religious institutions failed in their responsibility during previous regimes. “Our objective is limited and clear — to trace the missing saroops. There is no intention to interfere in religious affairs,” he asserted.
Mann said people could never forget the incidents of sacrilege, firing on protesters and lawlessness during the Akali rule, warning that bringing such forces back to power would mean dragging Punjab into a dark past.
AAP names Talbir Gill Majitha candidate
Making a key political announcement, the Chief Minister declared Talbir Singh Gill as the Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate from the Majitha Assembly constituency for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
“The time has come for Majitha to stop submitting demand letters and start making decisions. AAP represents a new politics where people are partners in governance, not victims of fear,” Mann said, taking an indirect dig at the political dominance of the Majithia family in the region.
He claimed that the atmosphere of intimidation that once prevailed in Majitha had ended. “There was a time when people were afraid to speak because false cases were used as weapons. That era is over,” he said.
Development push
Highlighting development works, Mann said the 23 rural link roads would significantly ease travel for villagers and farmers. Of the total allocation of ₹11.32 crore, ₹9.94 crore will be spent on construction and ₹1.38 crore on maintenance over the next five years.
“These roads were in a deplorable condition and caused immense hardship, especially to farmers transporting their produce. Their upgradation will bring real relief,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Punjab had nearly 43,000 km of link roads, all of which were being repaired under a comprehensive programme that also ensured five-year maintenance. He added that an AI-based survey and CM Flying Squad inspections had helped save ₹226.89 crore by plugging leakages.
Border farmers, power and welfare
Mann also reiterated that the Centre had given in-principle approval to shift the border fencing closer to the International Border, allowing farmers in border areas to cultivate thousands of acres currently lying beyond the fence without daily restrictions.
On governance, he said the government’s first decision in 2022 was to provide free electricity to 90 per cent of households and claimed Punjab was now power surplus. He also cited initiatives such as Aam Aadmi Clinics, Schools of Eminence and large-scale road repairs as evidence of people-centric governance.
