When Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently said, “It is ironic that those who patronised gangsters are now questioning the law and order situation,” he wasn’t just taking a swipe at his rivals. He was dodging the real issue. Instead of facing the tough questions, Mann chose to point fingers, toss out some irony, and shift the blame. That’s not what Punjab needs right now.
Sure, his statement probably got some cheers from his own camp. But honestly, it doesn’t do much for people in Punjab who are worried about “crime” and “gangsterism.” Mann keeps falling back on the same old tactic: when things get tough, he blames the folks who came before him. It’s easier than tackling the problems staring him in the face.
Let’s get real. The successive Congress and SAD-BJP government’s before him also struggled with crime. But Mann didn’t win his seat to give us a history lesson. He was supposed to change the script—to clean things up, be transparent and actually govern. Instead, he’s stuck playing the blame game.
The real irony isn’t what Mann says it is. It’s this: the man who promised to break Punjab’s old political and criminal ties is now using the same excuses those old leaders used. People didn’t vote for a chief historian. They wanted someone who’d take on gangsters, make the streets safer and rebuild trust. Instead, they get more talk and less action.
Meanwhile, the headlines tell a different story. Gang violence is up. Extortion rackets aren’t going anywhere. Murders have become a routine. People feel less safe than ever. The Opposition isn’t just playing politics when they call this out – they’re echoing what everyday Punjabis feel. Dismissing these concerns as hypocrisy doesn’t just miss the point. It’s reckless.
Being a leader isn’t about reminding everyone who failed last time. It’s about protecting people now. If Mann keeps hiding behind Congress and SAD-BJP’s failures, he’s no better than the leaders he criticizes. Every time his government fails to crack down on gangsters, his words sound emptier.
This isn’t just political mudslinging. It’s about real people – farmers, shop owners, students, working professionals, who just want to feel safe. They want a government that steps up, not one that gives speeches. So, when Mann shrugs off criticism as just another political attack, he’s not just being ironic. He’s being dismissive. He’s making light of people’s pain and acting like leadership is all about scoring points.
Yes, the Opposition made mistakes. But they have every right to hold the government to account. That’s how democracy works. When Mann tries to shut down criticism by dragging up the past, he sets a dangerous example.
Punjab deserves more. It deserves a Chief Minister who faces problems head-on, admits when things aren’t working and finds real answers. Mann’s speeches might win him applause at rallies. But they won’t protect him from a public that’s running out of patience.
Enough with the excuses. It’s time for Mann to accept responsibility. History isn’t there to hide behind. It’s there to learn from. And right now, people aren’t looking at Congress or SAD-BJP’s old failures, they’re looking at Mann’s.
Until he drops the blame game and owns up to his government’s shortcomings, Mann will stay stuck in the same irony he keeps pointing out. Punjab can’t wait around for another leader who’s stuck in the past. It needs someone ready to shape what comes next.
