Chandigarh July 11: A political firestorm has erupted as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international visits and the Centre’s stance on a film featuring a Pakistani actor. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has swiftly condemned Mann’s remarks as “irresponsible and regrettable.”
PM Modi’s Foreign Trips Under Scrutiny
During a public address, CM Mann derided PM Modi’s frequent overseas tours, questioning their efficacy and suggesting they lack tangible diplomatic benefits for India. He sarcastically named fictional countries like “Magnesia, Galveaisa, Tarvesia,” implying the obscurity of some of Modi’s destinations. “What’s the point of these visits?” Mann queried, adding that “More people gather to see a JCB machine working in Punjab than attend some of these visits.”
Mann further challenged the Prime Minister’s claims of resolving international conflicts, pointing to the unresolved water dispute between Punjab and Haryana. “Ads say Modi stopped wars between countries. Then why can’t he resolve Punjab-Haryana issues?” he asked. He also took a jibe at Modi’s unannounced 2015 visit to Pakistan, remarking, “He went to Pakistan to eat biryani without an invitation. We can’t even go to Pakistan, but the Prime Minister can.”
MEA Retorts: Remarks “Irresponsible and Regrettable”
In a strong response, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday criticized Mann’s comments. Without directly naming the Punjab CM, Jaiswal stated, “We have seen remarks made by a senior leader of a state about India’s relations with friendly countries. These comments are irresponsible and regrettable.” The MEA emphasized that such statements are unbecoming of a state authority and could potentially harm India’s foreign relations, particularly with “Global South nations,” which are built with considerable effort and care.
Film Controversy: Mann Backs Diljit Dosanjh.
Mann also waded into the controversy surrounding actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3, which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir. He defended Dosanjh, noting that the film was shot “long ago” and questioning the sudden backlash. “Now some are calling Diljit a traitor. Sometimes they say he is a ‘gaddar’, other times they praise him as a ‘sardar’. What’s the logic?” Mann stated.
He accused the Centre of employing “double standards,” citing the government’s allowance of a Pakistani hockey team to visit India while simultaneously criticizing a film made before recent tensions. Mann underscored the separation of art and politics, accusing critics of leveraging national sentiment for political gains.
Bhagwant Mann’s provocative statements have intensified the political friction between the Centre and the Punjab state government. While Mann challenges the Prime Minister’s foreign policy priorities and the government’s perceived cultural inconsistencies, the MEA has vehemently defended India’s diplomatic endeavors and cautioned against what it terms irresponsible political rhetoric.
