DW BUREAU / Khatkar Kalan (SBS Nagar)

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday gave clarion call to people to support the state government for making drug and corruption free Punjab as a humble and befitting tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh.

Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Heritage Complex here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government has launched a crusade against drugs and corruption adding that the big fishes involved in these crimes have been put behind bars. He said that this war has also exposed the ugly face of the traditional parties who have been hand in glove with each other to plunder the state and conduct genocide of youth through drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this war against drugs and corruption can only be successful if the people of the state play a proactive role in it.

The Chief Minister said that as a fact of matter, Captains, Badals, Majithias had continued the 'dubious legacy' of their families to backstab Punjab and its people for their vested interests. He said that ancestors of Bikram Singh Majithia, who is behind the bars for his involvement in drug trade, had backstabbed the people by holding dinner for General Dyer on the same night when he had committed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that similarly, Captain Amarinder Singh, who is very vocal about human rights of his nephew Majithia, and his family has a dubious track record of deceiving Punjab by standing with every force inimical to state whether they were Mughals, Britishers or now BJP.

On the contrary, the Chief Minister said that the state government is making concerted efforts to realize the dreams of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh to ensure that the fruits of freedom are percolated to every household. He said that it is unfortunate that even after more than 75 years of freedom the benefits of freedom have still not reached every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those in power had misused the freedom to spread the tentacles of chitta (drugs), amass wealth by plundering the masses, encouraging corruption along with other menaces.

The Chief Minister said that the successive Prime Ministers have delivered almost the same statements during their Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort. He said that it is the irony of the country that these leaders have delivered only theatricals to the people and masses are still far away from even basic amenities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the dreams of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh have still not been realized as these people have never made any concerted effort for this.

The Chief Minister said that the great martyrs including Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Shaheed Udham Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Mai Bhago, Ghadri Baabe and others don't need certificate from those in power at centre. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis have played a great role in national freedom and no NOC from those in power is required for their patriotism. He said that such type of disrespect to these great patriots and national leaders cannot be tolerated at any cost.

The Chief Minister said that this is not a political function but this is a solemn occasion to pay tributes to the great martyrs, who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland. He said that the state government is making concerted efforts to perpetuate the legacy of these legendary martyrs for our coming generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the nation will always be indebted to this martyr who sacrificed his life at a young age of 23 years for emancipating the country from the clutches of British imperialism.

The Chief Minister said that the iconic martyr was not only an individual but an institution adding that we must follow his footsteps for the progress of the country. He said that every endeavor of the state government is aimed at carving a progressive and prosperous Punjab as dreamt by Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as MP his every act was inspired by Shaheed-e-Azam as he got the opportunity to represent the people at the same place where Shaheed Bhagat Singh had shaken the mighty British Raj by throwing bombs to make the deaf hear.

The Chief Minister said that for the first time in Punjab's history, a CM and his entire Cabinet took oath of office on this sacred land of Khatkar Kalan. He said that on March 23, 2022, the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Ji, an anti-corruption action line was launched from Hussainiwala, marking the beginning of a war against corruption.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a 30-foot-tall statue of Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Ji was installed at the entrance of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, SAS Nagar (Mohali), in his honor.

The Chief Minister due to strenuous efforts of the state government, the Mohali airport was officially renamed after Shaheed Bhagat Singh Ji. He said that our government has also decided to place portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in all government offices. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the motive was to ensure that people of state can draw inspiration from these great personalities to serve the state.

(editor@dailyworld.in)