CM Bhagwant Mann at Dhuri: hate has no soil in Punjab
Synopsis
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed a Valmiki Prakat Utsav procession in Dhuri on 26 October 2026, declaring that the teachings of Sikh Gurus, saints and sages make Punjab's soil impervious to hatred, and calling for unity and brotherhood.
Key Takeaways
Bhagwant Mann addressed the Valmiki Prakat Utsav Shobha Yatra in Dhuri, Sangrur district on 26 October 2026 .
He declared that 'no seed of hatred can grow' on Punjab's sacred soil.
Mann credited the ten Sikh Gurus, saints and great spiritual figures for showing Punjab the path of equality, brotherhood and unity.
The procession was dedicated to Bhagwan Valmiki Ji's Prakat Utsav , a festival observed by Valmiki communities across Punjab.
The appearance continues the AAP government's pattern of participating in multi-community religious events since taking office in March 2022.
On the sacred occasion of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji's Prakat Utsav, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stood before a gathered procession in Dhuri, Sangrur district, on Monday, 26 October 2026, and delivered a message that cut straight to the soul of the state's identity — the seed of hatred, he declared, cannot take root on Punjab's soil.
Addressing the Shobha Yatra (devotional procession) dedicated to the festival, Mann invoked the towering moral legacy of the Sikh Gurus, saints and great spiritual figures who shaped Punjab's character. Bhagwant Mann said: 'This sacred land has been shown the path of equality, mutual brotherhood and unity by all the Guru Sahibans, saints and great souls — no seed of hatred can grow here.'Valmiki Prakat Utsav and why Dhuri matters
Bhagwan Valmiki Ji, the ancient sage traditionally revered as the author of the Ramayana, holds a central place in the spiritual life of Valmiki communities spread across Punjab. His Prakat Utsav — the festival marking his appearance — is observed with Shobha Yatras, devotional gatherings and community processions across the state every year. Dhuri, a town in Sangrur district, hosted one such gathering this year, drawing residents from across the region and providing the platform for the Chief Minister's address.Equality, brotherhood, and the Guru Sahibans' legacy
Mann's invocation of the ten Sikh Gurus was deliberate and layered. The Gurus' teachings on the oneness of humanity — cutting across caste, creed and community — form the philosophical bedrock of Punjab's public life. By linking Bhagwan Valmiki Ji's legacy of social uplift to that of the Gurus, Mann drew a clear thread between two distinct but resonant traditions of equality. It is a rhetorical move that Punjab's political leaders have long employed at interfaith and community festivals, but the force of the message lands differently when spoken in the middle of a living procession, with the community that venerates Valmiki Ji as its central figure.A recurring message at a moment of social emphasis
For Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, participation in the festivals of multiple religious and caste communities has been a consistent feature of public outreach since taking office in March 2022. The pitch for social harmony — unity over division, brotherhood over antagonism — is a thread that runs through such appearances. On this occasion, the message was sharpened: Punjab's spiritual inheritance is itself an immune system against hatred, and no external force can override it.The question now is whether the government follows the symbolism with structural action — on social equity, on community welfare, on the ground-level conditions that allow harmony to mean something beyond a headline.
Point of View
Who attend such events with both faith and expectations. As Punjab approaches future electoral cycles, the government's track record on social equity will be tested against the warmth of such public moments.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Bhagwant Mann say at the Valmiki Prakat Utsav in Dhuri?
Bhagwant Mann declared that no seed of hatred can grow on Punjab's sacred soil, and that the Sikh Gurus, saints and great spiritual figures have shown the path of equality, brotherhood and unity to the people of Punjab.
What is Valmiki Prakat Utsav?
Valmiki Prakat Utsav is the festival marking the appearance of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji, the ancient sage revered as the author of the Ramayana. It is celebrated with devotional processions called Shobha Yatras, especially by Valmiki communities in Punjab.
Where is Dhuri located?
Dhuri is a town in Sangrur district, Punjab, and was the venue for the Valmiki Prakat Utsav Shobha Yatra addressed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on 26 October 2026.
Who is Bhagwant Mann?
Bhagwant Mann is the Chief Minister of Punjab, in office since March 2022, representing the Aam Aadmi Party. He frequently addresses public and religious gatherings across the state.
Why does Bhagwant Mann attend Valmiki and other community festivals?
Punjab Chief Ministers and political leaders routinely participate in the religious and cultural festivals of multiple communities to reinforce the state's tradition of social harmony and to build cross-community goodwill.
