Senior Congress leader and MLA Pargat Singh has strongly criticised the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of misusing police authority to curb dissent. His remarks came after an alleged incident in Raniaan village of Moga district, where teachers in a government school were reportedly confined to the premises ahead of a political rally.
Taking to X, Pargat Singh claimed that the teachers were effectively placed under “house arrest” simply because a rally of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was being held nearby. He termed the action as excessive and unjustified, questioning the intent behind such measures.
He expressed deep concern over the message such actions send to students, stating that detaining teachers in front of children undermines the dignity of the profession. According to him, educators are role models, and treating them like offenders raises serious questions about governance and respect for institutions.
The Congress leader further questioned the Chief Minister directly, asking what possible threat teachers could pose that would require such strict restrictions. His statement reflects a broader criticism from the opposition that the state machinery is being used to manage optics during political events rather than focusing on governance.
The incident has intensified the ongoing political confrontation in Punjab, with opposition leaders likely to raise the issue more aggressively in the coming days. Teacher unions and civil society groups may also react if the allegations are substantiated, as the matter touches upon both civil liberties and the autonomy of educational institutions.
So far, there has been no official response from the Punjab government or local police authorities regarding the claims. Whether the restrictions were part of standard security arrangements or an isolated administrative action remains unclear.
The controversy highlights a larger debate about the balance between security and democratic freedoms. While governments often enforce tight control during high-profile events, critics argue that such actions must not compromise basic rights especially in sensitive environments like schools.