Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday tore into the BJP-led Central Government over repeated Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, asserting that Punjab would never surrender before “politics of intimidation and vendetta” being carried out through central agencies. Pointing out that ED had raided Sanjeev Arora’s residence three times within a year and twice within a month without recovering anything, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann questioned why such raids were being carried out only in states where the BJP was not in power.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the Modi Government’s real intention was not to recover black money but to pressure opposition leaders into joining the BJP, citing instances where leaders facing agency action later crossed over to the saffron party and received political patronage. Declaring that Punjab, the land of Gurus and martyrs, had not bowed even before Aurangzeb’s tyranny, the Chief Minister asserted that Punjab would never bow before Prime Minister Narendra Modi either and affirmed that the collapse of the BJP-ED nexus would begin from Punjab itself.
Addressing a press conference, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Income Tax Department and even constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission were no longer functioning independently and are instead being weaponised for political purposes against non-BJP ruled states, particularly Punjab.”
The Chief Minister stated that the BJP had converted these institutions into tools of political coercion to threaten leaders, businessmen and public representatives. “Instead of discharging their duties impartially, these institutions are now being used to settle political scores and destabilise democratically elected governments,” he said.
He said the BJP had adopted the same pattern across the country where raids are conducted not to expose corruption or recover black money, but to pressurise people politically. “The message from BJP is loud and clear: either join BJP or face harassment through raids and investigations,” he remarked.
Citing the recent case of Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said raids were conducted for two days at his residence, university and business establishments. “But the moment he joined BJP, the raids stopped and he was instead provided security cover by the Centre. What does this expose if not the political misuse of agencies?” he questioned.
He asserted that such pressure tactics would never succeed in Punjab. “We have faced hostile circumstances since our inception. Punjab has never bowed before intimidation and never will,” he said.
Referring to the ongoing ED action at the residence of Cabinet Minister and businessman Sanjeev Arora, the Chief Minister stated repeated raids had yielded nothing. “These politically motivated raids are only meant to create fear, build pressure and arm-twist political rivals,” he stated, while reiterating that Punjab would not succumb to such tactics.
Cautioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is the sacred land of Gurus, saints and martyrs. This land did not bow before Aurangzeb’s atrocities and it will not bend before Modi either.” He added that the end of the “unethical alliance” between the ED and BJP would begin from Punjab itself.
The Chief Minister further questioned why ED raids are conducted primarily in Opposition-ruled states while BJP-ruled states remain untouched. He pointed out that since the AAP Government passed the strict anti-beadbi law, BJP had become rattled and had intensified its attempts to intimidate the state leadership.
“For the third time in a year, raids have been conducted at the residence of Sanjeev Arora. Nothing was found earlier and nothing will be found now,” he asserted.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjabis had compelled the Modi Government to repeal the three black farm laws and now the Centre was attempting to take revenge by harassing, defaming and targeting Punjabis. “The purpose of these ED raids is not recovery, but political pressure to make leaders join BJP,” he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that Punjab has a glorious legacy of resisting oppression and defending democratic values. “Pressure politics may work elsewhere, but Punjab will never bow before threats or coercion,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab has historically defeated tyrannical forces and its people know how to protect their rights and dignity even under adverse circumstances. He further stated that the Centre has continuously discriminated against Punjab on crucial issues including Chandigarh, Bhakra, river waters and Panjab University. “The Centre has also withheld Punjab’s rightful dues, including RDF funds and several other pending amounts worth thousands of crores, thereby jeopardising the development of Punjab,” he said.
The Chief Minister said it was unfortunate that despite Punjab’s unparalleled contribution towards national food security and border security, the state continued to be politically targeted. “Punjab feeds the nation by contributing massive quantities of wheat and rice to the national pool, while Punjabi youth continue to defend the country’s borders with unmatched courage and sacrifice,” he stated.
Strongly opposing divisive politics, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab’s social fabric was built on communal harmony, brotherhood and mutual respect. “Anything can grow on Punjab’s fertile land except hatred. Attempts to divide Hindus and Sikhs for political gains will never succeed here,” he asserted.
Taking a firm stand on the anti-beadbi law, the Chief Minister reiterated that the Punjab Government remained fully committed to protecting the sanctity and respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and all religious scriptures. He said the recently enacted anti-sacrilege law was introduced solely to ensure strict punishment for those attempting to hurt religious sentiments and disturb peace.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the anti-beadbi law had received overwhelming support from sangat across the world. He alleged that only “one particular family” was opposing the legislation because of its own involvement in past sacrilege incidents. “Those claiming that the Panth has rejected this law must explain why millions are supporting it,” he asserted, adding that certain vested political interests were trying to mislead people for narrow gains and create unnecessary confusion around the legislation.
Making his Government’s position clear, the Chief Minister asserted that the anti-beadbi law had already come into force after due constitutional process. “The Governor has granted assent to the Act. There is no question of withdrawing or rolling back this law,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the legislation was enacted after a long-standing public demand and there could be no compromise on protecting the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The Chief Minister further pointed out that protests and demonstrations had continued for nearly one-and-a-half years demanding a stricter anti-sacrilege law. He noted that several Sikh intellectuals and scholars opposing the law today had themselves earlier demanded stringent legislation against sacrilege incidents.
He also recalled that in July 2007, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had itself passed a resolution authorising the government to enact legislation for the protection and respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Questioning the Opposition’s changing stand, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asked how those who had earlier supported legislative intervention were now claiming that the government could not enact such a law. He noted that such leaders are trying to run a “parallel authority” and politicising a sensitive religious issue.
Punjab will not repeal anti-beadbi law under pressure; attempts being made to divert attention from massive response to “Shukrana Yatra”: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Reacting to statements threatening meetings and protests against the legislation, the Chief Minister said every democratic group had the right to hold meetings, but maintained firmly that the law would not be repealed under any pressure.
Responding to questions on his ongoing “Shukrana Yatra”, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann alleged that ED raids, notices and controversies were deliberately being orchestrated alongside the yatra to divert media attention from the massive public support it was receiving across Punjab.
The Chief Minister also criticised the BJP’s “dictatorial mindset”, pointing out that the BJP wants to control every sphere of public life, from institutions to culture and public discourse. He warned against any attempt to push Punjab towards fear or instability and asserted that Punjabis would give a united and democratic response to such politics.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The BJP-led Central Government is undermining the constitutional framework of the country. The BJP is continuously misusing institutions like the CBI, ED, Income Tax Department and Election Commission for its political interests.”
“Why are ED raids being conducted only in those states where the BJP is not in power? This is a direct murder of democracy. Politics of hatred and discrimination is being carried out against Punjabis. New tactics are being used every day to intimidate and threaten us. I want to make one thing absolutely clear: Punjab is the land of Gurus and saints. In this fertile soil, every seed can grow, but the seed of hatred can never take root here,” he added.
“In reality, the BJP has become completely rattled after the passage of the strict law against sacrilege. Stop playing such games with the people of Punjab. This dictatorial attitude will not work here. We will continue to serve the people with complete honesty. Neither will we bow, nor will we stop,” the post concluded.
