Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today gave a clarion call to people for launching another freedom movement to cherish the aspirations of great martyrs by ousting those who had plundered the wealth of the country after the Britishers had freed us.
Addressing the gathering at a state level function to mark the martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh, the Chief Minister bemoaned that though the country attained freedom from clutches of British imperialism in 1947 but the dreams of the nationalists, patriots and great martyrs were never fulfilled. He said that the successive governments at the centre and state looted the people besides unleashing countless atrocities on them. Bhagwant Mann said that now the time had come when these atrocious leaders must be ousted for which a second movement of freedom struggle must be launched.
The Chief Minister said that in this freedom those living in palaces or palatial houses or known by the nomenclature of ‘Kaka ji’ and ‘Biba Ji’ must be thrown to political oblivion. He said that it is the need of the hour so that the dreams of martyrs can be fulfilled and a new ‘India’ can be carved out with equal rights for all. Bhagwant Mann said that these opportunist leaders had never been with the people but they had always sided with either Mughals or Britishers or Congress and now with BJP whatever has suited them.
The Chief Minister said that these leaders had always given preference to their own vested interests over that of the state and its people. He quipped that a recent delegation of the BJP that met the Governor over some issues comprised all the turncoats who had left Congress to join BJP. Bhagwant Mann said that none of the old guard of BJP was a part of this delegation which was led by the new president of the saffron party.
Taking a jibe, the Chief Minister further said that even the delegation was led by Sunil Jakhar, who himself was once the President of state Congress but had shifted his allegiance recently for this post. He said that these people should be taught a lesson for backstabbing the state and its people, so that it acts as a deterrent for them in future. Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab had already witnessed this movement with the formation of the Aam Aadmi Government in the state in 2022.
Citing an example, the Chief Minister said that former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal who had brought him into politics has been booked for the misdeeds. Bhagwant Mann said that the former Finance Minister had taken a vow at native village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to serve the state but instead of fulfilling his pledge he forgot it and joined the Congress and now BJP for sake of plum postings. He said that anyone who will backstab people of state by misusing his official position will have to definitely pay for his sin.
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The Chief Minister said that the state exchequer is no longer empty, as earlier times, but every single penny from it is being utilized for the well being of the common man. He said that several path breaking initiatives have been taken by the state government to ensure comprehensive development of Punjab and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that the day is not far away when due to concerted efforts of the state government Punjab will emerge as a front ranking state across the globe.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has already ordered a special Girdawari to ascertain the loss incurred to people due to floods in the state. He said that the officers have been directed to ensure that the Special Girdawari is completed by August 15 by all means. Bhagwant Mann assured the people that his government will compensate the people even if they had lost a hen or a goat.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government will not beg from centre to give relief to the people in this hour of crisis. He said that the state government has enough resources to bail the people out of this grave crisis adding that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government will not seek even a single penny from the Union government for the victims of flood.
Paying tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh, the Chief Minister said that he bows on this sacred land of Sunam where this great son of the soil was born. He also recalled his long association with his friends and teachers of the area adding that he used to pay homage at this place with his father as a child. Bhagwant Mann said that Shaheed Udham Singh was true son of soil, who had in a heroic act exhibited exemplary courage by killing Michael O’ Dwyer, the prime perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The Chief Minister said that the supreme sacrifice made by this iconic hero at the altar of national freedom struggle helped the country to overthrow the yoke of British Imperialism. Bhagwant Mann said that as an artist whenever he went to London he used to visit the Caxton Hall where Shaheed Udham Singh had taken revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. He said that this hall is of immense significance for all of us as it reminds us of the heroic deed of the martyr adding it will ever remain as a source of inspiration for our younger generations to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice.
On the occasion, the Cabinet Minister Aman Arora and others were also present.