CM Bhagwant Mann Leads Shukrana Yatra in Malwa, Accuses BJP of Branding Punjabis Anti-National and Spreading Division

May 9, 2026

BHATINDA: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday tore into the BJP and communal forces while leading the third day of the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ across the Malwa region, pointing out to the saffron party’s agenda of trying to brand patriotic Punjabis as “anti-national” and conspiring to destroy the state’s centuries-old social harmony for electoral gains.

Beginning the yatra from Bathinda and paying obeisance at Sri Damdama Sahib, the Chief Minister warned that the same “politics of fear and division” unleashed in West Bengal was now being attempted in Punjab, where communal forces were trying to pit communities against each other to polarise society and capture power. The Chief Minister also asserted that Punjabis, who made the greatest sacrifices for the country’s freedom and unity, would never allow such forces to succeed in Punjab, while declaring that those involved in beadbi cases, including protectors and handlers, would now face stringent punishment under the new law, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh.

Punjab Belongs to Punjabis: CM Warns Against Divisive Politics

Addressing massive gatherings at Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda city and Kotshamir, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann called upon Punjabis to unite against divisive forces inimical to the peace, amity and communal harmony of the state, asserting that communal politics would never be allowed to disturb Punjab’s centuries-old brotherhood. Coining the slogan “Punjab belongs to Punjabis,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those trying to disturb communal harmony are enemies of Punjab. The BJP has gained power in Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal through divisive politics, but such conspiracies would never succeed in Punjab because people here celebrate every festival together.”

“Communal parties are conspiring to break Punjab’s brotherhood and their sinister agenda must not be allowed to succeed,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said. He added that these political parties want to divide Punjabis and pit communities against each other for electoral gains.

BJP, RSS and West Bengal Reference in Political Attack

Citing the example of West Bengal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the situation there deteriorated drastically after BJP came to power and innocent people’s houses are being set on fire. “The moment BJP formed the government in West Bengal, an atmosphere of fear spread everywhere. The same conspiracy is now being hatched for Punjab,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said. “First they pit two communities against each other, then they stand with one side and intimidate the other to secure votes,” he added.

Targeting RSS and BJP over nationalism, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said RSS did not hoist the Tricolour at its headquarters for 52 years, yet today they are distributing certificates of patriotism to others.

Referring to Partition, he said Punjab suffered the most during that painful period and nearly one million Punjabis lost their lives, whereas those now questioning Punjab’s patriotism had made no such sacrifices for the nation.

Opposition Parties Accused of Loot and Misgovernance

Targeting opposition leaders, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said leaders like Sunil Jakhar need introspection because they cannot tolerate seeing the son of an ordinary family honestly serving Punjab after becoming head of the state. Training his guns on Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann described both parties as looters that plundered Punjab’s wealth for decades while ignoring welfare of common people. “Opposition parties are asking for another chance to loot Punjab, but people will now send them not to power, only to jail,” he said.

He said Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal is daydreaming about returning to power, but the wise people of Punjab will never again vote for those who repeatedly betrayed the state.

Shukrana Yatra, Sacrilege Law and Government Achievements

Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as a devout and indebted Sikh, he had embarked upon the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ with full religious fervour and gaiety after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. He said his heart is indebted to the Almighty for blessing him with the opportunity to serve humanity by enacting the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026.

He said the Act ensures strict punishment for sacrilege cases, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh, and that excuses of mental illness will no longer protect accused persons. “Those committing sacrilege in Punjab will no longer escape punishment,” he said.

He further added that the legislation would act as a strong deterrent and expressed gratitude to people supporting the move. He said opposition parties are only objecting due to political motives.

AAP Government’s Development Claims and Welfare Schemes

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted achievements of the AAP Government, stating that more than 90 percent households are receiving free electricity and over 65,000 youth have got government jobs. He said toll plazas have been shut saving ₹70 lakh daily.

He said canal water usage has increased from 21 percent to nearly 68 percent and will reach 85 percent soon. He added that 14,000 km of pipelines have been laid for irrigation and groundwater levels have improved.

He also mentioned welfare schemes like Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Aam Aadmi Clinics, and free treatment up to ₹10 lakh for families.

Concluding Remarks on Shukrana Yatra

Sharing on X, CM said he felt blessed during the Shukrana Yatra at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and thanked people for their massive support despite heat. He reiterated commitment to Punjab’s development, communal harmony, and protection of Sikh values, stating that his government is working day and night for the welfare of people.