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Journalism of Courage
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “settling scores with Punjab”, after having “some deep rooted enmity” with the state on the issue of Centre asking the states not to allow Sikh Jathas to Pakistan on the occasion of parkash utsav of Guru Nanak Dev.
Mann’s reaction came a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India advised states including Punjab not to allow Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan. Addressing media, he said, “I have said it so many times that BJP is taking revenge from Punjab…sometimes they withhold our funds…I have even stated that if they had their way then they would delete Punjab from the National Anthem…They have so much of enmity with Punjab that they can do that…I would like to ask state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to what they have done. Cricket matches can wait…even the films can wait…but faith cannot wait,” he said.
He questioned the policy of the BJP, “What is BJP’s policy? It is against Pakistan or against people? If a Pakistani artiste is taken in a film in which the shooting of the film is done before then they will be called traitors and do not want to have any relation with Pakistan. They said they will not allow any such movie released. They called out names like traitor. Entire troll army got at work. When they stop a fit then who suffers? The producer. But in case of the cricket match that took place on Monday, in which the producer is the son of ‘bade sahib’ and this loss cannot be allowed. Now the main stream media is saying hands were not shaken. Did we not played the match? What is this? Were the catches not taken? Did they not bowl? Can we say we will not touch the ball because it has touched Pakistanis bat? Why play? this loss cannot be allowed because he is the son of ‘bade sahib’. “
The Chief Minister said that, “It is sad that our own government has been putting restrictions of us…had the British done this…or Pakistanis banned us it would have been different. We lost 10 lakh in partition. How we came from the other side hiding our daughters…trains carrying bodies crossed borders. The Independence came vey expensive for us. I want to tell Modi not to play with the emotions of Punjabis.
We seek ’Sarbat da Bhala (well being of the entire universe).’ Punjab is a land of progress. Even if you would not give us anything, Punjab will still stand up. But we will remember these excesses. We will see when you come to us…you will come seeking votes…you will seek rice…when you will seek rice, we will provide…”
In a strongly worded allegation Mann said, “Why stop Sikh pilgrims? A cricket match took place yesterday but Sikh pilgrims cannot pay obeisance at a Gurdwara? It is about our faith. This is not about politics or business. It is in our ardas that we seek to serve at those gurdwaras which went to the other side after partition. But we cannot go there because those are in Pakistan.”
Taking on the BJP, he siaid, “We are not like them. We will tell our views in a straightforward way. We have a common culture. We have one brother on this side and second on the other. We go to meet each other. Guru Nanak Dev ji was born in Nankana and he spent his last days at Kartarpur. These two places are of immense faith for us. These are our pilgrims. These two places mean so much for us. You can send help to Afghanistan. But for Punjab, you do not get time. They want the winds should flow according to them…the rivers and oceans should also flow as they want…Punjabis follow their own will. Had they not followed their will then you would not have been the Prime Minister of an Independent India. Because Bhagat Singh followed his will that Independence struggle will only get intense after sacrifice of life. We follow the path shown by our Gurus. I had stated that earlier also that either boycott everything or allow cultural change also alongwith the sports. We are all social people. Dont you think they are putting too many restrictions on us? Now, they will ask rice from us. Why don’t they get rice also from the other side. Wheat, sarson, maize and sugarcane…When it comes to satiating hungers then Punjab is the food bowl of India. When Punjab faces a disaster then they say you face it on your own. Now, Assam has got a package of Rs 12,734 crore…Did they give Rs 1 lakh crore from Bihar? Why the BJP leaders in Punjab, who are seeking details of SDRF from me, ask the Centre about all this? “
Mocking at BJP MP Anurag Thakur, the CM said the nation has to play a multi-national tournaments. I do not know when was Thakur Sahib born? There are so many instances where we have boycotted the match, even a World Cup in which Sri Lanka won. Film will not be released because of Pakistani artistes. But cricket match will take place. What was the pressing reason for the match? The Pakistani cricket board will also the money. Where will they use this money? There is no body which is independent. Everything is under the army there. They will take this money saying chitta and arms are to be sent across the border. “
Chief Minister Mann said that he would also write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask him about relief fund for Punjab floods being collected in Prime Minister Relief Fund by International Advertising Agency (IAA). He said, “Who are these people? Why are they collecting funds in the name of floods in Punjab? They are seeking funds in PM Relief Fund? Why shouldn’t this be collected in CM Relief Fund? Who are they to collect fund in Punjab’s name? Have they sought funds for other states in PM National Relief Fund? Then they say they have a lot of money? The Prime Minister should make it clear why the name of his relief fund is being used? They seek account of SDRF from us? Who will give the account of this fund being collected? Then they say this fund does not come under the scope of RTI. I will also write to the PM and i am asking him through you also to lend some clarity on this.”
