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Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday strongly objected to the Government of India’s decision to cancel the visit of Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan on the occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, accusing the Modi government of hurting Sikh sentiments and playing politics with people’s faith.
Mann said the move has “bruised the psyche of Sikhs” across the globe. “It is hard to understand whether the BJP’s policy is against Pakistan or against its own people. When a Pakistani actress stars in a Punjabi film, the Centre bans the film and Punjabis are branded as traitors. It is always our artists and film industry who suffer such step-motherly treatment,” he remarked.
He cited the example of a recently banned Punjabi film, which had been shot much before the Pahalgam terrorist attack, saying it was unfair to punish filmmakers on that pretext. “On one hand, a film is banned, but on the other, an India-Pakistan cricket match is allowed only because the son of a powerful leader wished so. When the Cricket Board is in the hands of Amit Shah’s son, playing a match with Pakistan suddenly becomes a compulsion for the Centre. Everyone knows the money Pakistan earns from such matches goes against India’s interests. If cricket can happen, why can’t pilgrims visit Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib to pay obeisance?” Mann questioned.
The Chief Minister said stopping Sikh devotees from visiting these sacred shrines was a direct assault on religious freedom. “For Punjabis, Kartarpur Sahib — where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent his final years — and Nankana Sahib — where he was born — are not political or commercial issues. They are matters of faith, devotion, and deep emotional connection. Blocking the sangat from their Guru is not only unjust but deeply painful,” he said.
Mann accused the BJP government of double standards, pointing out that while the Centre rushed to send aid to Afghanistan during its crisis, it has withheld rightful flood relief from Punjab. “Even the Rs 1,600 crore announced by the Prime Minister has not been released. This reflects the Centre’s grudge against Punjab,” he alleged.
Taking a dig at Punjab BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Ravneet Bittu, Mann said they were misleading people instead of questioning their own government. “I challenge them to explain why the Modi government can allow a cricket match but not Sikh pilgrims’ jathas. Punjabis will never forget this injustice,” he said.
He further accused the BJP of meting out step-motherly treatment to Punjab in development as well. “States like Assam and Bihar are showered with election-driven packages worth thousands of crores, while Punjab, despite facing devastating floods, has been denied its rightful share. This is nothing but an anti-Punjab syndrome that drives the BJP-led NDA government,” Mann asserted.
Reiterating his warning, the Chief Minister said, “Politics can wait. Cricket can wait. But devotion cannot wait. The Prime Minister must desist from playing with the sentiments of Punjabis. If their will prevails, they will even omit Punjab’s name from the national anthem. But let me make it clear: Punjab does not need any NOC of patriotism from those in power in Delhi today. Punjabis have already proven their loyalty to the nation with supreme sacrifices during the freedom struggle and by making India self-reliant in food production.”
