Mann Government In Punjab Aligns To Core BJP Issues: A Different Narrative Of Indian Politics!

Recently, we celebrated International Yoga Day, and on the occasion of the same, there can be seen a different and strange narrative of Indian politics. Two political parties, which are always against each other and leave no stone unearthed to demean each other’s party in the public domain, can be seen to align the values of one another! Yes, you read that right. 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann recently hosted a ‘CM di yogshala’ function in Jalandhar, which included a star-studded lineup from the Aam Aadmi Party. Aside from Mann, the presentation included others from politics like Rajya Sabha MP, the party’s Punjab in-charge, Raghav Chadha, and Punjab ministers. These Yogshalas, which were announced in April as a pilot project, were planned to be launched in the cities of Amritsar, Phagwara, Patiala, and Ludhiana, where qualified yoga teachers will give free training to the public in open parks and other public locations.

Notably, another famous person from politics, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the ‘Dilli Ki Yogshala’ scheme in December 2021 to provide free yoga training to all Delhi public six days a week. Yoga was practised every day by over 17,000 persons in these free workshops. However, the project was terminated in 2022 as Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena refused to extend the programme beyond October 31.

The BJP, while accusing the politics of AAP of mimicking a Narendra Modi government project, said it welcomed any attempt to promote yoga, which can treat the body of numerous maladies.

It isn’t the only recent Mann administration decision linked with a significant BJP concern.

A few days ago, the Punjab Police, under the governance of CM Mann, searched 185 sites associated with people arrested under the state’s Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act in recent years, employing 132 police teams and a total of 900 officers. These were taken out on the orders of DGP Gaurav Yadav. The surprising action came following the finding of a killed cow in Haripura village, Sangrur district, on June 15. While seven persons reportedly engaged in the massacre were arrested on the same day, there was considerable tension in the community following the finding.

According to BJP Sangrur district president Randeep Deol, the local market was closed for many hours the next day, with Hindu groups expressing deep worry over what had occurred. The incident startled the people of the region. According to Deol, this might be one of the reasons why police launched extensive raids on June 18.

While no new action was taken against anybody following the searches relating to the Cow Slaughter Act, Special DGP (Law & Order) Arpit Shukla stated that the operation’s goal was to maintain eyes on violators to ensure they did not engage in anti-social activities. Such raids will continue, adds the Special DGP. The police will not spare anyone caught murdering or slaughtering cows since the agency is dedicated to safeguarding and conserving animals under the law.

According to police officials, such operations also assist in creating fear in anti-social groups and building a sense of security in the general public. While cow slaughter is illegal in Punjab, as it is in the rest of the country, it seldom results in violence, unlike in other places. Cow vigilantism is uncommon; therefore, the police crackdown, including cases dating back years, is startling.

According to Deol of the BJP, the AAP paid lip service to the BJP’s voter base. They conducted raids on those previously charged under the Cow Slaughter Act. Let’s see how serious they are about their acts, Deol remarked, as he claimed the AAP government believes in publicising rather than accomplishing anything.

Conclusion.

At the moment, India is suffering not only from fragile administration but also from “side politics” of political parties, which would scale a rock to support someone on their side of the political spectrum, even if they are incorrect, and will debate nonsensically with the other to defend that point. At such a point where politicians are more into degrading each other than working for a social cause, this seems to be a fresh narrative of Indian politics.

Earlier also, AAP supremo Mr Kejriwal supported against the implication of Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case, by clearing the agenda that they had differences from the Congress party, but they will not support unconstitutional attempts in the parliament.

It is good to see how political parties who were earlier just bashing against each other, and involved in playing dirty politics, are now standing for what is right, irrespective of their individual political differences. Let’s see what approach like this take the route of great Indian politics!