S.A.S. Nagar: Former Health Minister and senior Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu said that the illegal actions of Chandigarh and Haryana Police — entering Punjab’s territory and stopping Punjabis from entering Chandigarh — have once again made it clear that the Bhagwant Mann government has completely surrendered before the BJP-led Central Government.
In a statement issued here today, Sidhu said that to stop Punjabis from participating in the student union rally organized to protect the identity and existence of Panjab University, the patrolling and checkpoints set up by Chandigarh and Haryana Police in Mohali’s Phase 6 are a direct assault on the autonomy, security, and territorial integrity of Punjab. He said that by permitting such illegal activities, the Bhagwant Mann government has not only questioned its own authority but also compromised the safety of Punjab’s residents.
The former minister recalled that during the second farmers’ agitation, too, the Bhagwant Mann government had allowed the Haryana Police to set up barricades and take action within Punjab’s boundaries at Shambhu and Khanauri barriers — resulting in the tragic killing of 21-year-old Shubhkaran Singh from Balloh village due to firing by Haryana Police inside Punjab’s territory.
Sidhu further said that by sealing the entire city since morning to prevent Punjabis from joining the protest rally to save Panjab University, the Chandigarh Police has attacked the constitutional and democratic right to peacefully protest, while also causing immense inconvenience to ordinary citizens. He emphasized that Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab, and every Punjabi has the undeniable right to enter the city freely.
Holding the Bhagwant Mann government entirely responsible for the pitiable condition of Punjabis today, Balbir Sidhu alleged that the government has failed to take any concrete steps beyond theatrics to protect Punjab’s interests. He accused the Mann government of failing to safeguard Punjab’s share in BBMB, recover thousands of crores due from the Centre, provide timely compensation to flood victims, and hold the long-delayed elections to the Panjab University Senate.