Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister on Friday joined thousands of Sanatanis at the Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv Ke Naam bhajan sandhya in Pathankot as the Bhagwant Mann Government continued its state-wide devotional outreach across Punjab. Highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting every faith, the AAP Chief said Punjab is witnessing unprecedented efforts to celebrate Sanatan traditions alongside the rich spiritual heritage of all religions.
Addressing the gathering, the AAP Chief highlighted the grand observance of the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ongoing celebrations of the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, the expansion of the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojna and the redevelopment of the historic Kali Mata Mandir in Patiala. He said Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv Ke Naam is being organised across all 22 districts of Punjab and people are expressing happiness that such large-scale programmes for Sanatan Dharma are being held for the first time in the state.
Welcoming devotees to the bhajan sandhya, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Today, all of you have gathered here in such large numbers to listen to Shiv Ji’s bhajans and immerse yourselves in devotion. It feels wonderful to see your enthusiasm and happiness. I can also see that many mothers, sisters and daughters have joined us.”
Before making a major announcement on the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojna scheme, the AAP Supremo said, “I can see that a large number of you have raised your hands after receiving ₹3,000 in your bank accounts. Now let me see, how many of you have completed your registration but have not yet received the money? I have good news for you. I was just speaking with CM Bhagwant Mann. On 1 August, Bhagwant Mann will come to Pathankot, and the amount will be transferred directly to your accounts. Everyone whose registration has been completed but whose payment is still pending will also receive the money in their bank accounts on 1 August.”
Expressing gratitude, Arvind Kejriwal stated, “It is by Guru Sahib’s grace that we have received an honest Chief Minister like Bhagwant Mann. I remember that every previous Chief Minister faced allegations of corruption, and so did their ministers. For the first time, Punjab has a Chief Minister against whom no one can level even an allegation of a single rupee of corruption. No one can accuse him, his family or any of his ministers of even a single rupee of corruption. By saving every single rupee, he has provided electricity free for you, provided Sehat Beema of up to ₹10 lakh, arranged ‘tirath yatras’ (pilgrimage) for you and now deposits ₹1,000 every month into your accounts.”
Highlighting the government’s religious initiatives, the AAP Chief emphasised, “You have all gathered here in such large numbers today. These ‘Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv Ke Naam’ bhajan sandhyas are being organised across Punjab. I have already visited Amritsar, Jalandhar and several other cities. CM Bhagwant Mann also joins me at many places. Shiv Ji bhajan sandhyas are being organised in 22 cities. This is the first time in Punjab that any government or political party has worked on such a large scale for Sanatan Dharma.”
Announcing an expansion of the teerth yatra scheme, Arvind Kejriwal added, “I have another piece of good news for you. Our Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme is already running with two routes. One route goes to Sri Darbar Sahib and another to Sri Anandpur Sahib. From 1 August, three more routes will begin. Routes to Khatu Shyam Ji and Salasar Ji will start. Another route will begin for Haridwar and Rishikesh, and one more for Mathura and Vrindavan. All of you should definitely go. We have made arrangements for 1.5 lakh pilgrims, who will undertake teerth yatras on these three routes.”
The AAP Supremo continued, “Have you visited the Kali Mandir in Patiala? That mandir is held in great reverence. People say that whatever wish you make there is fulfilled by Kali Mata, who removes all sorrows. It is revered across North India. CM Bhagwant Mann is getting the entire Kali Mata Mandir renovated at a cost of ₹80 crore. The work will be completed by October. After that, all of you must visit, bow your heads before Kali Mata, receive her blessings, keep your families happy and have your wishes fulfilled.”
Referring to another major religious project, Arvind Kejriwal asserted, “In Amritsar, as all of you know, there is the Bhagwan Valmiki Mandir. It is believed that Bhagwan Valmiki lived there, wrote the Ramayan there, Sita Mata stayed there, and Luv and Kush were born and educated there. It was there that Luv and Kush stopped and tied Bhagwan Ram’s Ashwamedh horse to a tree. The Punjab Government has decided that a grand mandir dedicated to Sita Mata and Luv Kush will be built next to the Bhagwan Valmiki Mandir.”
Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann paid obeisance to Bhagwan Shiva and extended his greetings by saying, “I bow to all of you. Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal.”
He said people had gathered in large numbers with faith in Lord Shiva to participate in the bhajan programme and immerse themselves in devotion. He said every step taken by the devotees to reach the programme was worthy of respect.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab’s soil is extremely fertile and every seed sown here grows. “But there is one seed that can never grow in Punjab, and that is the seed of hatred. Brotherhood in Punjab is very strong and our social bonding is equally strong. The festivals and traditions of Punjab belong to everyone. Our Ram Navami is shared by all, our Gurpurabs are shared by all, our Hanuman Jayanti is shared by all, our Eid is shared by all, our Shaheedi Dihadas are shared by all. Bhagat Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, the Ghadar Babas and Lala Lajpat Rai belong to all of us. We all live together,” he added.
The Chief Minister said it gave him immense satisfaction to see such a huge gathering, including many people who may never have attended such an event before. He said he saw long lines of people walking to the venue with their children and added that such programmes had not been witnessed in Punjab earlier.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the people of Pathankot that the government would never allow any shortage in serving the people. He said that while previous governments repeatedly claimed that the treasury was empty, he has never made such a statement during the four and a quarter years of his government. “The treasury is always open for the people because the treasury belongs to the people. It is my duty to stop leakages. Earlier, the money used to go into the pockets of leaders and their relatives. We have stopped those leakages,” he added.
He said roads are being constructed across Punjab, around 6,000 young men and women have been provided government jobs, common people are receiving free treatment, life insurance cover of ₹10 lakh is being provided, and women are receiving ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 as Sanman Rashi under the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said these achievements were significant because the treasury, electricity poles and power grid were the same earlier as well. “Today, 90% of households are receiving zero electricity bills.”
The Chief Minister thanked the people for the affection they had shown him once again and said their love indicated that they were ready to write a new chapter for Pathankot. “When the opportunity comes, we have to write a new story for Pathankot,” he added.
He appealed to the people to remain united and elect good representatives. Referring to the religious leaders present at the programme, he said they dedicate themselves to spreading spiritual teachings and guiding people towards the right path through satsang.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann thanked AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for travelling specially from Delhi to attend the programme. He also welcomed senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia.
Calling upon the people to work together, the Chief Minister said, “Let us all come together and build Punjab again. We do not need to make Punjab into California, London or Paris. We need to make Punjab a better Punjab. Punjab must eliminate drugs, unemployment and corruption. We have to make Punjab a Rangla Punjab, and Pathankot must also add its colour to that Rangla Punjab,” he added.
The Chief Minister concluded his address by asking the gathering whether they were ready for this mission, following which he raised the slogan, “Har Har Mahadev,” along with the people. He congratulated everyone and said renowned singer Kailash Kher would now present devotional bhajans dedicated to Lord Shiva.
