ANANDPUR SAHIB – In a scathing attack that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday directly accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the recent low-intensity blasts in the state. Speaking at the launch of the Shukrana Yatra at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Mann alleged that the explosions are part of a “calculated strategy” to polarize voters ahead of the upcoming elections.
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Serious Allegations of “Election Tactics”
The Chief Minister did not mince words, characterizing the blasts—which occurred near military zones in Jalandhar and Amritsar on May 5—as the “BJP’s style” of campaigning.
“Whenever elections approach, the BJP begins spreading hatred. This is what they did in Bengal, and now it is Punjab’s turn,” Mann stated. “They seek votes by inciting violence and scaring the public. I appeal to them: desist from these activities. Punjab is a land of peace and communal harmony.”
Mann further claimed that the BJP is attempting to revive a “dark period” in Punjab’s history, noting that the wounds of the people are still fresh and should not be used for political gain.
The Sacrilege Law Flashpoint
A central theme of the Chief Minister’s address was the connection between the blasts and the state’s newly enacted, stringent Sacrilege Law. Mann suggested that the legislative move has frustrated the opposition’s alleged plans to incite religious unrest.
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Strict Deterrent: Under the new law, those found guilty of sacrilege face up to life imprisonment.
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The Narrative: Mann argued that because the law is now too severe for anyone to commit sacrilege at the “behest of political handlers,” the opposition has pivoted to “small blasts” to maintain an atmosphere of fear.
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The Admission: “Those who were opposing this law have effectively admitted that their intent was to incite violence. Now that they can’t use sacrilege as a tool, they are resorting to explosives,” Mann alleged.
The Shukrana Yatra Begins
The Chief Minister’s statement coincides with the start of the Shukrana Yatra (Thanksgiving March), a four-day religious and political procession celebrating the passage of the anti-sacrilege legislation.
The Yatra, which began at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, will traverse through Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Bathinda before concluding at Fatehgarh Sahib on May 9. While the march was intended to be a celebratory event, it has now become a platform for the AAP government to take a hardliner stance on state security and federal interference.
Security Update: Investigations Underway
While the political war of words intensifies, ground-level investigations into the May 5 incidents continue.
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Evidence: Forensic teams have collected samples from the blast sites near the BSF Chowk in Jalandhar.
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Agency Involvement: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is reportedly monitoring the situation, though no official arrests have been linked to any political organization as of Wednesday afternoon.
Opposition Response
The BJP has dismissed Mann’s allegations as “baseless and inflammatory,” accusing the Chief Minister of using conspiracy theories to distract from a deteriorating law-and-order situation under his own administration.
As Punjab moves closer to the polls, the rhetoric suggests that security and religious sanctity will remain the primary battlegrounds for all major parties.
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