Is Punjab's CM Mann Playing Politics with Guru Ravidas?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chandigarh, Jan 29 (NationPress) The president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Punjab unit, Sunil Jakhar, issued a warning to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday, advising him against engaging in trivial politics concerning Guru Ravidas. Jakhar emphasized that such actions are not fitting for someone in the role of Chief Minister.
He asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is conscious of the feelings of the people in Punjab, which is why he declared during his visit in 2024 that the Adampur Airport would be dedicated to Guru Ravidas. "Instead of welcoming the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to inaugurate the airport's naming, Chief Minister Mann has opted to engage in lowly political tactics," Jakhar remarked in his statement.
Jakhar pointed out that the Union Budget is scheduled for presentation in Parliament on February 1, yet Prime Minister Modi is making a trip to Punjab to commemorate Guru Ravidas Prakash Purab. "This is astonishing," he noted, adding that the Chief Minister fails to recognize or respect the Prime Minister’s appreciation.
He reminded everyone that during his visit to Hoshiarpur on May 23, 2024, Prime Minister Modi had announced that the Adampur airport would be named after Sant Shiromani Sri Guru Ravidas.
Now, as the Prime Minister prepares to officially name the airport after Guru Ravidas, and with the Prime Minister’s Office having released the schedule for the ceremony, it is disheartening that the Chief Minister has resorted to trivial politics by tweeting and requesting that the airport bear Guru Ravidas' name.
Jakhar stressed that such narrow-minded politics are unbecoming of a Chief Minister, particularly when the Prime Minister’s visit is confirmed, the announcement has been made, and the naming is already arranged. The Chief Minister's attempts to mislead the public by reiterating a previously fulfilled demand are disappointing.
He mentioned that if the Chief Minister had proposed a new demand genuinely aimed at benefiting Punjab, he would have backed him beyond party affiliations. However, by reiterating an already acknowledged demand, it remains unclear what the Chief Minister aims to demonstrate.
Jakhar concluded by stating that Prime Minister Modi has consistently listened to and prioritized Punjab’s demands, and this specific request has already been addressed through a prior announcement.