Days after Union minister Amit Shah criticised the rise of gang activities in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday targeted the Union government. He accused the Centre of giving “VIP treatment” to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat.
Mann said the Union government appeared more concerned about Bishnoi’s safety. He pointed out that the Union Home Ministry has issued an order stating that Bishnoi cannot be questioned by state investigating agencies anywhere except inside the Gujarat jail.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself spoke about gangsters during his visit to Punjab. Yet Lawrence Bishnoi is getting VIP facilities in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat,” Mann said while speaking to mediapersons on the completion of four years of the AAP government in the state. He added that such “double standards” would not work.
On March 14, Shah addressed a rally in Moga where he attacked the AAP government on several issues. These included the activities of gangsters, the growing drug menace and allegations of religious conversions.
Lawrence Bishnoi is among the main accused in the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Mann also said the police want to bring gangster Anmol Bishnoi for questioning in connection with the Sidhu Moosewala murder case.
Replying to a question about bringing gangsters based abroad to face the law, the chief minister said his government was in touch with the Union Home Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry. He further said Red Corner Notices have already been issued against several criminals hiding in foreign countries.
He further said that recently a gangster was held at the Ukraine border. Efforts are now being made to bring him back to India.
Responding to a question about Amit Shah’s promise to introduce an anti-conversion law during the Moga rally, Mann accused the BJP of trying to provoke religious tensions.
“Wherever they form the government, there are inter-religion conflicts,” he alleged. “The BJP’s religious card will not work in Punjab,” he said. However, he added that religious conversions carried out through “greed” are wrong. He said Punjab is a fertile land where any seed can grow. But, he added, seeds of hatred cannot grow here.
Shah had said that if the BJP forms the government in the 2027 Assembly elections, it will bring a law to curb illegal religious conversions in Punjab. He also stated that peace and development in the state were not possible without Hindu-Sikh unity, which he said could only be ensured under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
Mann also criticised the Union government for allegedly “stalling” Punjab’s share of funds. He claimed that around Rs 8,000 crore of the Rural Development Fund has not yet been released. The Punjab government has moved the Supreme Court in this regard, he said.
When asked about the state’s agriculture policy, Mann said issues such as the minimum support price (MSP) and the India-US trade deal require attention from the Centre before the policy can be finalised. He said the Centre was “not ready to speak about farmers and MSP”. Mann added that Punjab has contributed 155 lakh tonnes of rice and 125 lakh tonnes of wheat to the central pool.
He also criticised the Union government over the proposed Seed Bill and the Electricity (Amendment) Bill. Mann said the state’s agriculture policy also requires detailed consultations with farmers and agricultural experts. Mann further said Punjab will host the Asia Cup hockey championship this year. According to him, the matches will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali.
Also read: BJP will bring law to check conversions in Punjab: Amit Shah
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