A routine visit by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to Sri Muktsar Sahib Gurdwara has sparked a political controversy after an official order surfaced, assigning two policemen to guard the chief minister’s shoes during his visit. The directive, issued by the Muktsar police, named Head Constable Roop Singh and Constable Sarbat Singh, stating they were “on duty for the shoes of the CM of Punjab at Gate No 7 in plain clothes.”
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The order quickly went viral on social media, drawing ridicule and anger from Opposition leaders who accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of reducing the police force to personal attendants. In response, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, during a public address at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, where he laid the foundation stone for Rs 138.83 crore worth of development projects under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, sarcastically dismissed the criticism. He said, “Do these political opponents have any roadmap for Punjab? Now, our slippers and shoes are an issue for them. Even the suits of our mothers and sisters are under their scrutiny. These are the matters they focus on now.” The projects announced for Sri Muktsar Sahib aim to modernize the city’s old sewage and water supply systems and lay new pipelines in growing neighborhoods.
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The Opposition seized on the order to accuse the Mann government of hypocrisy. Union Minister Ravneet Bittu mocked the chief minister, saying, “This episode reflects the situation in Punjab—if even the CM’s shoes aren’t secure, what can we expect for others?” Congress MLA Pargat Singh took to social media, sharply criticizing, “Now even the CM’s shoes get special police protection? If only the government showed the same concern for protecting Punjab’s institutions and rights.” The Opposition also attacked the AAP government over a recent rise in crimes in the state, questioning Chief Minister Mann, “Is this your ‘Rangla Punjab’?”
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