Since independence, Punjab has been unlawfully deprived of its own capital; Chandigarh is ours and will remain ours
Despite unparalleled national contributions, Punjab is still denied its own capital and High Court
Even the smallest states in the country have their own High Courts, but Punjab still does not
The 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji was celebrated widely as a historic occasion; Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo declared as holy cities
The 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji will also be celebrated at the state level with grand events, similar to Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji’s martyrdom day
Hoshiarpur, January 26
On Republic Day, while unfurling the national Tricolour in Hoshiarpur, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly affirmed Punjab’s constitutional rights and gave a detailed account of his government’s governance record. Recalling Punjab’s unparalleled sacrifices in India’s freedom struggle and its continuous role as the nation’s food provider and sword arm, the Chief Minister said that since independence, the state has been unlawfully deprived of its capital and a separate High Court. He made it clear that attempts to weaken Punjab’s claims on Chandigarh, Punjab University, and its water rights will never succeed. He emphasized that Punjab will continue to fight legally and constitutionally every day to protect its interests.
Linking governance with heritage and faith, Chief Minister Mann highlighted the historic commemoration of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and the declaration of Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo as holy cities. He announced that the 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji will be celebrated through state-level programs from February 1 to 20, 2027.
Highlighting the direction of governance, the Chief Minister spoke about decisive actions under ‘War on Drugs’ and ‘War on Gangsters’ against drugs, gangsters, and narco-drones; universal health coverage up to ₹10 lakh; providing over 63,000 government jobs without bribes or recommendations; and a sharp reduction in road accident deaths through the Road Safety Force. He expressed concern over changes in MGNREGA affecting Scheduled Caste workers and landless families, referred to the record ₹1.5 lakh crore investment that created 5.2 lakh jobs, and announced the Punjab Progressive Investment Summit from March 13 to 15.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said, “Despite immense contributions to the nation and its people, Punjab does not have its own capital. Since independence, Punjab has been unlawfully deprived of it. Daily conspiracies are being hatched to further worsen the situation by depriving the state of its capital, Punjab University, waters, and other rights. This will never be allowed. Chandigarh was, is, and will always remain an inseparable part of Punjab, and the state government will make every possible effort to reclaim its capital.”
Expressing anger over the lack of a separate High Court, the Punjab Chief Minister said it is unfortunate that Punjab does not have its own High Court, while even small northeastern states have their own capitals. He said, “Due to the absence of our own High Court and the huge backlog of cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Punjabis face immense hardships.”
Extending heartfelt greetings to all Punjabis and citizens across the country on this auspicious occasion, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann paid tribute to the thousands of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during India’s independence struggle.
Saluting the brave soldiers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Chief Minister remembered their glorious role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity. He said, “On this day in 1950, the country’s Constitution came into force. This is a very special day for all Indians. It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that we are proud citizens of the world’s largest democracy.”
On this sacred occasion, Mann paid floral tributes to the invaluable contributions of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. He said Punjabis take pride in the fact that Punjabi warriors made the greatest sacrifices in the freedom struggle. He added, “The inspiration to stand firmly against oppression and injustice comes to every Punjabi from the teachings of our great Gurus.”
Recalling historic movements, the Chief Minister said Punjabis led movements like the Kuka Movement, Babbar Akali Movement, Ghadar Movement, Komagata Maru tragedy, and Pagdi Sambhal Jatta. He said Baba Maharaja Singh, Baba Ram Singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Madan Lal Dhingra, Diwan Singh Kalepani, and hundreds of other national heroes sacrificed their lives for India’s independence.
Mann said Punjabis have set exemplary contributions in the country’s progress and have always been at the forefront in national defense and making the country self-reliant in food production.
Mentioning the role of farmers, the Chief Minister said Punjab’s farmers are the nation’s food providers, whose hard work ensures no one sleeps hungry. “Punjab contributes more than 60% to the country’s food grain reserves. Even during last year’s devastating floods, Punjab’s farmers contributed 156 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to the central pool. Due to the contributions of Punjab’s farmers and soldiers, the state is called the nation’s food provider and sword arm.”
Expressing gratitude to those who helped bring the state back on its feet after the floods, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said he bows to those warriors who restored normal life in Punjab despite the terrible floods. He said, “Despite the natural calamity, the state stood on its feet again within hours.”
The Chief Minister said Punjab sacrificed its precious natural resources—fertile soil and water—for the country’s sake. He added that despite great sacrifices, Punjab continues to face injustice and discrimination, forcing the state to fight at legal, legislative, and administrative levels to claim its rights.
Referring to the stepmotherly treatment meted out to Punjab, Mann said conspiracies are being hatched to snatch its rights. He said, “A foul attempt was made to encroach on BBMB and Punjab’s legal water rights, but the state government did not allow it to succeed.”
Expressing concern over changes in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Chief Minister said the Centre has altered the scheme’s structure, which will snatch livelihoods from Scheduled Caste workers, women, and landless families. He said, “Punjab has the highest proportion of Scheduled Caste population in the country. This new law will prove disastrous for the Scheduled Caste community.”
Mann said currently 19.85 lakh families are registered as MGNREGA workers in Punjab, of which 12.65 lakh belong to the Scheduled Caste community. He said, “The state government is fighting this battle against the Centre through law and courts.”
He also said that despite clear division of Centre-state powers in the Constitution, the Centre has withheld funds for rural development (RDF).
Reiterating Punjab’s firm resolve, the Chief Minister said, “Punjab has to fight every day to get its rights from the Centre. I make it clear that Punjabis have never bowed down, nor will they ever bow in the future.”
Warning divisive forces, Mann said false propaganda is being spread to divide Punjabis, but the state government will never allow such plans to succeed. He gave a stern warning to gangsters and their sympathizers to abandon the path of crime or be ready to face consequences. Mentioning the ‘War on Gangsters’ campaign, he said action against gangsters is ongoing, and those sheltering them will not be spared. He said no leniency will be shown to lawbreakers, and peace, unity, and communal harmony will be maintained in the state at all costs.
Highlighting initiatives taken by the Punjab Government over the past nearly four years, Mann said the government is committed to providing governance that realizes the dreams of martyrs. He said under ‘War on Drugs’, the supply chain has been broken, smugglers jailed, their properties demolished, and victims treated and rehabilitated. He said anti-drone technology has been installed along the 532 km international border; so far, 498 drone activities detected and 256 drones seized.
Mann said the second phase of ‘War on Drugs’ has begun, and citizens can join by giving a missed call on 98991-00002. He said village and ward-level protection committees have been formed, recovered addicts honored as heroes, skill training for rehabilitation provided, and 3,083 rural sports grounds being developed. He said ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ events were organized to keep youth away from drugs, with three generations participating.
Mann said the historic occasion of the 350th martyrdom day of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji, was celebrated with devotion and respect across the state. He said ₹20 crore has been spent on constructing the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Chief Minister said the three holy Sikh Takhts cities—Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo—have been declared holy cities, while the Chief Minister Tirth Yatra Yojana provides free darshan of religious places to devotees.
Mann further announced that the 650th Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji will be celebrated on a large scale starting February 1, with programs and events from this year continuing till 2027 to ensure the great legacy and memory of Guru Ravidas Ji.
Mentioning health reforms, the Chief Minister said the Chief Minister Health Scheme provides cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh to all 65 lakh families. He said income conditions have been removed, government employees and pensioners included, making Punjab the first state to provide free healthcare to all citizens.
Mann said 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics provide free treatment daily, and this number will soon reach 1,000.
On employment, he said 63,027 government jobs have been given transparently without bribes or recommendations. He said 90% households get free electricity, and for the first time in Punjab’s history, tubewells in fields get over eight hours of uninterrupted daytime power during the paddy season, allowing farmers to eat with family at home instead of going to fields twice.
The Chief Minister said 18,349 watercourses spanning 6,900 km have been revived, and ₹2,300 crore is being spent on the first post-independence canal, ‘Malwa Canal’.
On education, the Chief Minister said 118 Schools of Eminence established, teachers sent for training to Finland, Singapore, and Ahmedabad, bus services benefiting over 10,000 girls, Punjab topped the National Achievement Survey by surpassing Kerala, and government school students cleared JEE and NEET in large numbers.
Mann said investment proposals worth ₹1.50 lakh crore received since 2022, creating 5.2 lakh jobs. He announced the Punjab Progressive Investment Summit in Mohali from March 13 to 15, with industrialists from around the world participating.
watch…..Punjab Government Signs Agreement for ₹10 Lakh Universal Cashless Health Insurance Scheme
He said Punjab gives farmers the highest sugarcane price in the country at ₹416 per quintal, stubble burning incidents reduced by 53%, and closing 21 toll plazas saves people ₹67.7 lakh daily.
The Chief Minister said the government provides ₹1 crore ex-gratia to families of defense personnel martyred on duty and ₹2 crore to families of police personnel martyred on duty.
Mentioning the Road Safety Force, the Chief Minister said it is a unique initiative of its kind in the country. Since its launch in February last year, road accident deaths have reduced by over 48%. The force is deployed on 4,200 km of highways for smooth traffic management.
He said village ponds are being cleaned, libraries built, 49,000 km rural roads upgraded, 1,600 mini-bus permits issued to youth, easy registry started. He said a ₹148 crore memorial dedicated to Sri Guru Ravidas Ji is being built at Khuralgarh.
Praising Hoshiarpur district,Mann said it is Punjab’s most literate district, tops in sex ratio, has major contributions in athletics and football. The town’s Mahilpur is known worldwide as a football nursery. He said work on a medical college in Hoshiarpur will start soon, and posters for the upcoming ‘Nature Fest’ in February were released.
During the event, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inspected the parade, watched cultural performances, and honored achievers during the Republic Day celebrations.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the parade led by Parade Commander Dhirendra Verma IPS and Assistant Parade Commander Ramanpreet Singh Gill, and received salute from contingents of Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, PESCO, NCC, Boy Scouts, Police Cadets, Girl Guides, and Punjab Police Brass Band.
Colorful cultural programs were presented, including tent pegging and Bhangra by PAP Jalandhar team, Giddha, group dance, PT show, and group singing by school students.
The Chief Minister honored freedom fighters and their relatives, distributed tricycles to persons with disabilities, and sewing machines to needy women. Tableau depicting development by state and district administration were also displayed.
Mann also honored personalities from various fields for their outstanding contributions to society and other officers during the Republic Day event.
