CM Bhagwant Mann Addresses 'Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv De Naam' in Mohali
Synopsis
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the 'Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv De Naam' religious gathering in Mohali on July 31, 2026, calling Punjab the sacred land of Gurus, Pirs and Saints and reaffirming the state's centuries-old message of love, brotherhood, tolerance and unity.
Key Takeaways
CM Bhagwant Mann addressed the religious event 'Ik Shaam Bhagwan Shiv De Naam' in Mohali on July 31, 2026 .
He described Punjab as the 'sacred land of Gurus, Pirs and Saints' from which messages of love, brotherhood, tolerance and unity have radiated for centuries.
The event was a Shiva-themed congregation attended by large sangats (religious gatherings).
Mann has led Punjab under the Aam Aadmi Party since March 2022 and has consistently appeared at interfaith and cultural events.
The address reflects a longstanding Punjab government tradition of invoking the state's composite spiritual heritage to project an image of inclusive identity.
At a religious gathering in Mohali on Friday, July 31, 2026, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stood before a congregation and invoked something older than any government programme — the soul of Punjab itself. Addressing the faithful at the event titled 'Ik Shaam Bhagwan Shiv De Naam' ('An Evening in the Name of Lord Shiva'), he reminded the gathering that this land has been sending a message of love and unity to the world for centuries.
Speaking at the event, CM Mann said that 'Punjab is the sacred land of Gurus, Pirs and Saints, from where messages of love, brotherhood, tolerance and unity have been reaching the entire world for centuries.' The words were simple. The weight behind them was not.
A Land Defined by Its Saints and Sufis
Punjab's composite spiritual identity is not a political invention — it is a lived reality. The state is home to the shrines of Sikh Gurus who preached the oneness of humanity, and of Sufi Pirs whose dargahs draw devotees across religious lines. That same tradition gave Punjab its distinctive culture of sanjhi virasat — shared heritage — that political leaders across generations have drawn upon when speaking of harmony.
CM Mann, who has led the state since March 2022 under the Aam Aadmi Party, has made public appearances at interfaith and cultural events a consistent feature of his tenure. Invoking Gurus, Pirs and Saints at a Shiva-themed gathering is itself a statement — one that frames devotion to any deity as part of a broader, pluralist Punjab identity rather than a sectarian one.
Why Mohali, Why Now
Mohali, the planned city adjacent to Chandigarh, has become a regular venue for large government-backed cultural and religious events. Its infrastructure and proximity to the state capital make it a natural stage for programmes that carry both civic and symbolic weight. An evening dedicated to Lord Shiva, addressed by the Chief Minister and attended by large sangats (congregations), signals the government's intent to be visible and participatory at community-level religious life.
For Mann, the optics are deliberate: a leader who governs a state with a Sikh majority standing at a Shaivite event and speaking of tolerance is a message in itself — that Punjab's pluralism is not ceremonial, but constitutional to its character.
Punjab has carried that message for centuries. On Friday evening in Mohali, its Chief Minister simply carried it forward.
Point of View
Pirs and Saints — is a calculated articulation of Punjab's composite identity politics. For an AAP government navigating a state with a Sikh majority, Hindu minority and significant Muslim population, appearing at cross-community religious events is both outreach and signalling. The move fits a broader pattern in which the Mann administration uses cultural and spiritual platforms to project governance as rooted in Punjab's own pluralist ethos rather than any single community's idiom. Whether this translates into durable inter-community goodwill or remains ceremonial optics will depend on how consistently the administration backs the messaging with policy.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv De Naam'?
'Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv De Naam' translates to 'An Evening in the Name of Lord Shiva' — a religious congregation held in Mohali, Punjab, on July 31, 2026, which was addressed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
What did CM Bhagwant Mann say at the Mohali religious event?
CM Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab is the sacred land of Gurus, Pirs and Saints, from where messages of love, brotherhood, tolerance and unity have been reaching the entire world for centuries.
Where was the 'Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv De Naam' event held?
The event was held in Mohali, a planned city in Punjab adjacent to Chandigarh, on July 31, 2026.
Which party does Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann belong to?
Bhagwant Mann belongs to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and has served as Chief Minister of Punjab since March 2022.
Why does Punjab's government emphasise the state's composite religious heritage?
Punjab's government has a longstanding tradition of highlighting the state's Sikh, Sufi and Sant traditions to project an image of pluralism and inclusive identity, a narrative that resonates across the state's diverse religious communities.
