The News Freedom
Chandigarh, December 27
Slamming the Centre government for rejecting the tableau of state for the Republic Day parade, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the ‘power mad’ centre government is demeaning and humiliating the enormous sacrifices made by Punjabis in the national freedom struggle.
“This is not for the first time but last year also the Union government had done the same mischief and by rejecting the tableau this year too, the Centre has rubbed salt into wounds of the state” said the Chief Minister.
Interacting with the media persons here today at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that on one hand the devotees from across the globe are paying obeisance at Sri Fatehgarh to pay homage to chotta Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh along with Mata Gujri ji whereas on the other hand BJP government is playing such dirty tactics to humiliate Punjab. He said that martyrdom and sacrifices is part of the glorious heritage of the state which was to be duly highlighted in the tableaus of state. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that by rejecting these nationalistic and progressive ideas of tableaus, the Union government has insulted the sacrifice made by great patriots and national leaders.
The Chief Minister categorically said that this step motherly treatment with the state is totally unacceptable and unwarranted. He said that the unfortunate thing is that this decision has been taken during the days when the entire globe is bowing before the supreme and unprecedented sacrifice made by the chotta Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri ji for humanity. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Centre government has forgotten that Punjabis had made unprecedented sacrifices both for attaining and preserving freedom besides safeguarding the borders of the country.
The Chief Minister said that had these tableaus from state been included in the Republic Day then it would have enhanced the prestige of this parade in which the French President will be the chief guest this year. He said that every state highlights its legacy in this parade but for the last two years, the Centre government has deliberately kept Punjab out of this mega national event. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this year also more than 90 percent states that have been selected for tableaus are being ruled by the BJP, which indicates the ongoing saffronisation of Republic Day and Independence Day by the Modi government.
The Chief Minister said that this year too, the state government had duly submitted three ideas including Punjab-history of sacrifice and martyrdom, Mai Bhago- the first lady warrior of Sikhism (women empowerment) and rich heritage of Punjab. He said that these ideas were duly submitted on time with the Union government for their approval. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the union government had ignored the immense contribution of the state by rejecting these ideas.
The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that the Union government is making mockery of the state and its immense contribution in nation building. He reminded the Union government that even if Andaman and Nicobar have to present something in their tableau, then also Punjab will be there because India’s freedom struggle is replete with contributions of Punjab and Punjabis, which can never be ignored.
Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this move has once again exposed the anti-Punjab face of the BJP. He dared the BJP leaders including Captain Amarinder Singh, Sunil Jakhar, RP Singh, Manjinder Sirsa and others to explain why grave injustice is being done with the state by their government at centre.
The Chief Minister said that the Union government is not able to digest all the pro-people decisions taken by the state government for the welfare of the common man. He said that funds for Aam Aadmi Clinics under the National Health Mission were stalled by the Union government adding that the funds for Rural Development Funds worth Rs 5500 crore have also been stopped by the centre government to disallow state for constructing roads in rural areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the Union government has maliciously stalled the Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme by not giving the trains to the state despite advance payment.