Chandigarh, January 27
Former Education Minister and MLA Pargat Singh has said that “inappropriate” remarks on Bhai Kanhaiya at SYL Canal Meeting between Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini are deeply regrettable and has wounded the collective conscience of the Sikh community. In a strongly worded press statement issued here today, Pargat said that trivialization of a saint whose wartime compassion transcended all divides is not merely inappropriate but a profound affront to the spiritual ethos that defines Sikhism.
“Bhai Kanhaiya, a towering figure in Sikh history, selflessly tended to the wounded on battlefields during the 17th and 18th centuries, offering water and aid without distinction between friend or foe. His legacy, immortalized in Sikh scriptures and traditions, stands as a beacon of universal compassion, sewa (selfless service), and unwavering devotion to Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings. To drag this hallowed memory into the political fray of inter-state water disputes—employing it as a rhetorical device amid Punjab’s resolute opposition to the SYL canal—is to desecrate a symbol cherished by millions. Such remarks diminish the gravity of Bhai Kanhaiya’s contributions and inflict deep hurt on the sentiments of the Sikh Panth, fostering division where unity and respect are paramount”, opined former Punjab Minister.
Pargat added that the Punjab’s stand on the SYL canal remains firm and principled. “Our state’s survival hinges on every drop of Ravi-Beas water, vital for our agriculture-dependent economy, farmers’ livelihoods, and the prosperity of over 3 crore Punjabis. This position, rooted in constitutional rights, Supreme Court observations, and environmental imperatives, merits robust advocacy—not levity or historical analogies that mock revered icons. Mann’s conduct at the meeting undermines not only Punjab’s credible negotiations but also erodes the moral high ground we hold in this long-standing dispute”, he said.
Pargat unequivocally condemned Mann’s remarks as unbecoming of the state’s highest office. “They betray a cavalier attitude toward cultural sensitivities at a time when Punjab seeks constructive dialogue with Haryana and the Centre. The AAP government’s penchant for theatrical rhetoric over substantive governance only exacerbates regional tensions and alienates communities who look to leadership for dignity and decorum”, he rued.
Pargat demanded that Mann must tender a public apology forthwith, retract his statements and recommit to addressing the SYL impasse through reasoned discourse rather than divisive hyperbole. “The Sikh community, which has always championed harmony and service, deserves no less. Let us honour Bhai Kanhaiya’s legacy by upholding the values he exemplified—compassion without compromise, service without spectacle. Punjab’s unity and its sacred heritage must never be pawns in political gamesmanship. Together, we shall protect our rights, our rivers, and our revered saints”, he concluded.
