The political controversy surrounding Bhagwant Mann’s recent comments, which associated the BJP with the recent explosions in Punjab, intensified on Thursday. Tarun Chugh, the national general secretary of the BJP, issued a legal notice to the Chief Minister of Punjab, demanding that Mann retract his statements and offer a public apology within a week.
In the notice, delivered via his attorney Sanket Gupta and associates, Chugh expressed strong disapproval of Mann’s allegations, which suggested that the explosions were part of the BJP’s strategic planning for the upcoming elections in Punjab.
Chugh emphasized, “The residents of Punjab deserve clarity—where is the supporting evidence? The state is currently grappling with issues such as drug abuse, bomb blasts, organized crime, and an economic downturn, yet the Bhagwant Mann administration resorts to unfounded accusations against the BJP to divert attention from its own shortcomings. Punjab requires responsible leadership, not political theatrics.”
The dispute ignited on Wednesday when Mann commenced his ‘Shukrana Yatra’ from Anandpur Sahib, coinciding with the enforcement of a stricter sacrilege law in the state. During a press conference in Rupnagar, he commented on the low-intensity explosions that occurred in Amritsar and Jalandhar, stating, “This is the BJP’s strategy for the Punjab elections… They previously indicated that after Bengal, their next target would be Punjab. They aimed to instigate communal strife under the guise of sacrilege, but now that stringent laws are in place, they realize that such acts will attract severe penalties. Therefore, these recent low-intensity blasts, which are currently under investigation, are merely their preparations for the electoral battle in Punjab.”
Mann further asserted, “Those who cultivate discord in Punjab will ultimately fail. Punjab is a land rich in spiritual heritage, and tactics that succeeded in Bengal will not find traction here.”
In response to Mann’s comments, Union Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, challenged the Chief Minister to file a case against the BJP if he possessed any evidence to support his claims.
Chugh escalated his criticism on Thursday, arguing that Mann’s statements contradicted the position of the Punjab Police. “By alleging that the BJP is responsible for the bomb blasts without any substantiation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has compromised the integrity of his office. This prompted the initiation of legal proceedings against him for criminal defamation, disseminating false information, and inciting public disorder,” Chugh stated.
He continued, “Mann’s assertions conflict with the statements made by his own Director General of Police. While the Punjab Police have indicated that foreign networks and the ISI may be involved, the Chief Minister appears focused on advancing a political agenda. The pressing question is whether he is safeguarding Punjab’s security or shielding anti-national elements.”
Chugh also noted that it was inappropriate for Mann to link a democratic and patriotic party like the BJP to acts of terrorism, particularly on a day when the nation commemorated the bravery of its armed forces during the anniversary of ‘Operation Sindoor.’ He labeled Mann’s comments as not only politically misleading but also disrespectful to the trust placed in him by millions of citizens.
He described Mann’s statements as “defamatory” and “hazardous,” warning that such claims could foster “confusion, distrust, and social unrest” in Punjab. Chugh accused Mann of exploiting national security issues for political gain.
