Batala, April 16
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today rolled out development projects worth ₹177 crore for Batala, combining large-scale infrastructure expansion with a sharp political message against previous regimes. With over ₹95.72 crore worth of works by the Municipal Corporation (MC), ₹16.05 crore by the Mandi Board, and ₹65.09 crore in road construction by the PWD, alongside fresh repair works worth ₹42.56 crore and ₹34.97 crore, the push includes new bridges, a modern bus stand to ease traffic congestion, and a ₹14.81 crore allocation for new police lines.
Declaring the development drive as a decisive break from the past, Mann said the people of Punjab had ended “three generations of Akali-Congress loot” in 2022 and would not allow their return in 2027, while accusing previous governments of deliberately weakening anti-beadbi laws to protect themselves. He also targeted traditional parties, saying their disconnect from ordinary citizens reflects why people have rejected them, as his government moves to combine governance delivery with accountability.
Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of several key development projects, Mann stated, “Akalis had deliberately framed weak law against beadbi just to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime were not punished for their sins.” He added, “These leaders were also afraid that they would also get punishment for their crime due to which they ensured that the laws were weak.”
The Chief Minister stated that the Punjab Government has passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, stipulating harsher punishment for beadbi. “The dastardly act of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was a deep rooted conspiracy to disturb hard earned peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that the Act will ensure strict action against offenders, saying, “Now anyone found guilty in this unpardonable offence will not be spared at any cost and exemplary action would be taken against them as a deterrent for others.” He emphasised, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the father of every Sikh and the state government is duty bound to ensure the safety of this holy granth.” He added, “If Sri Guru Granth Sahib is not safe in the state then where else can it be,” calling the legislation a historic milestone to check beadbi.
Taking a jibe at the Akali Dal’s so-called ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’, Mann said, “The real name of this gimmick of Akali Dal is ‘parivar bachao yatra’ as the entire effort is aimed at safeguarding their family interests.” He challenged the Akali leadership, asking, “After looting the state for 15 years, from whom they are trying to save the state from.” He said that the Akalis had plundered the state mercilessly, bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally, and patronised several mafias.
The Chief Minister further said, “Everyone knows that this family was a stooge of Britishers and was conferred the title of Sir by them for hobnobbing against the patriots who fought for the country.” He added, “The family had felicitated General Dyer, the perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, by hosting a dinner for him after this heinous incident,” stating that such acts exposed their anti-national and anti-Punjab mindset.
Mann said, “Not only this the family also ensured that General Dyer was also bestowed siropa and forgiveness at Golden Temple.” Emphasising that history cannot be erased, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The dubious characters of Badal’s ancestors are etched on the pages of history,” adding that “the hands of this family are drenched with the blood of the patriots and the role of these traitors in backstabbing the nationalists can never be forgotten.”
The Chief Minister said that these leaders had “used the bullets and then the drug (Chitta) to ruin the youth of the state,” asserting that they can never be forgiven. He added, “Akalis should be booked for the genocide of generations as the drug trade was patronized by them and it flourished during their long misrule.” He further said, “The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of millions of youth who fell prey to the drug that was supplied in the state in their official vehicles.”
Mann said, “The sins of these leaders are unpardonable and they can never be forgiven by the people for their long saga of misdeeds, which are fresh in the minds of people.” He termed them “opportunist leaders who change their colors like a chameleon as per their convenience and vested political interests,” adding that the large turnout of people even in scorching heat reflects the public’s support for the state government.
