Bhagwant Sian, only your determination and purity of intentions can save Punjab from becoming barren, desolate and a victim of the tragedy of history. The land of Punjab, whose rivers have irrigated our civilization for centuries, is in danger today. The eyes of the Center and neighboring states are on the waters of Punjab, and our courage is being challenged. At such a time, the hopes of the Punjabi people are linked to you. In 2022, the people of Punjab, fed up with the loot, betrayal and humiliation of the previous governments, gave an unprecedented majority of 92 seats to the Aam Aadmi Party. This victory was not just political, but was a symbol of the long-standing frustration of the people, the suffering of Punjab and your popularity. People elected you because those who did politics in the name of the Panth ignored the sacrileges of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, shed the blood of Sikh youth, and swore by Gutka Sahib to guard Delhi. The youth of Punjab was thrown into the fire of drugs, 1984 and 1990s befell a generation of us, and out of fear, parents started selling their lands and properties to send their children abroad. As a result, Punjab is becoming more and more deserted, and old parents have become companions of loneliness. Amidst all this misery, the majority your party got was the last hope of the people. But alas, the Delhi government never considered Punjab as its own. Be it the nomination of Rajya Sabha members or the election of the cabinet, the people of Delhi handed over power to you “by convincing them”, which created doubt in the minds of Punjabis.
People wanted your government to pass resolutions against the Centre’s anti-Punjab policies—ending the claim on Chandigarh, ownership of Bhakra Dam, SYL Canal, and Himachal’s water demands. But you often remained silent, which hurt Punjabi pride. However, your recent stand against the central government’s coercion to give additional water to Haryana was a golden message for Punjabis. It raised people’s hopes that perhaps Bhagwant Singh Mann would let Punjab’s voice resonate in the court of Delhi. But there is a fear in the mind—will the people of Delhi allow you to insist on Punjab’s right? Punjab has been betrayed for 75 years. This is why the Akalis and Congressmen fell politically—they looted Punjab’s water and electricity, did not punish the culprits of sacrilege, and left Punjab’s interests at the mercy of the Center. Bhagwant Sian, you have turned from a successful comedian to a politician. You have a passion for public service, which has won the hearts of the people. But power is a bed of thorns, and the power of Punjab has been a victim of Delhi’s tricks. There is a saying among the wise that good qualities should be learned even from the enemy. You should learn from former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who inspired farmers to agitate against the Center’s arbitrariness during 2018-2023, involved his party in the struggle, and got resolutions passed from gram panchayats to district councils. This popular appeal of his made him a people’s hero. Today, the fate of Punjab is in your hands. You are standing between two paths. One way is through Delhi’s flattery, which will make you a villain in the eyes of the people of Punjab. The other way is through the pride of Punjab, the rights of its waters and people, which will root you in the golden pages of history. The anti-Punjab forces are trying to make you a pawn like Beant Singh or Badal. But if you stand firm in favor of Punjab, then not only the Punjabi people, but also history will salute you.
Demands of the Punjabi people:
Take a strong stand against the SYL canal, the demands of Himachal and the arbitrariness of Haryana. Pass resolutions in the Vidhan Sabha to re-establish Punjab’s claim.
Punish the culprits of the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, so that Panthic sentiments are respected. Take concrete steps to save the youth of Punjab from the evil of drugs. Send pro-Punjab representatives, not followers of corporate or central interests. Bhagwant Sian, it is a matter of “a hundred hands tied with a knot at the end”. If you keep the pride of Delhi, then you will leave Punjab. If you stand with Punjab, then Delhi will not be accepted. But it depends on you whether you will keep the pride of mother’s milk or earn a stigma. Fight for the waters, pride and rights of the people of Punjab. Prove that you are not just the Chief Minister, but a true son of Punjab. If you stand firm for the right, then history will write you in golden letters. Otherwise, the Punjabi people and history will not forgive you.
