The North News
Chandigarh, June 4
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for what he called a growing tendency to label dissenting voices as anti-national. Speaking to reporters at his official residence in Chandigarh on Wednesday, Mann said the situation in the country was deteriorating, with opposing views increasingly branded as unpatriotic.
He took aim at Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, who recently accused Mann of echoing Pakistan’s views while commenting on “Operation Sindoor”. The Chief Minister described Bittu’s remarks as “irrational” and said they reflected a broader strategy by BJP leaders in Delhi to make baseless political statements.
“It’s unfortunate and ironic,” Mann said. “Even the party that announced the Sindoor campaign has now quietly distanced itself from it, yet they accuse others of speaking Pakistan’s language.”
Mann further criticised what he termed as a “first in global history” — the Indian government allegedly deploying representatives abroad to declare victory in a conflict. “True victory doesn’t need to be advertised,” he said. “It speaks for itself.”
Addressing questions on the recent arrest of a YouTuber from Punjab, the Chief Minister clarified that regulation of digital platforms such as social media falls under the jurisdiction of the Union government. However, he affirmed that if state law enforcement agencies come across any anti-national activity, they are duty-bound to act strictly according to the law.
“Anyone indulging in activities against the country will not be spared. The law will take its course, and exemplary action will be taken,” he said.
