Centre okay with India-Pak cricket match but denies permission to Sikh 'jatha': Punjab CM Mann
Chandigarh (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday slammed the Centre for giving its nod to the Asia Cup T20 cricket match between India and Pakistan, but denying permission to send a Sikh 'jatha' to the neighbouring country.
India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in Dubai on Sunday when the arch-rivals faced off for the first time since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, and the subsequent military strikes by India targeting terror hideouts across the border.
The match became a flashpoint of intense debate, with political parties, leaders, and the kin of the Pahalgam victims demanding a boycott of the clash due to cross-border links of the dastardly act.
Addressing a news conference here, Mann referred to the Centre's move to deny permission to send a Sikh ‘jatha’ (group of pilgrims) to Pakistan for Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev's 'Parkash Purb' (birth anniversary) celebrations in November, citing security reasons.
Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, and Kartarpur, his final resting place, are both located in Pakistan.
“If a (cricket) match can be played, what is the fault of the pilgrims that they cannot go to Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib? Will everything happen according to the Centre's wishes," Mann asked.
The chief minister also referred to the ban on the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Punjabi movie 'Sardaar Ji 3' in India post the Pahalgam attack, as the film starred Pakistani actress Hania Amir.
Mann, who earlier this year came out in support of Dosanjh after the ban, said everyone still remembers how words like “gaddar” (traitor) were used even though the film was made before the Pahalgam attack on April 22.
People are also asking whether the BJP's policy is against Pakistan or against its own people, Mann claimed.
"Even the prime minister had said that blood and water cannot flow together... When they ban a film, it is the producer and the actors who suffer the loss. But the cricket match was played yesterday because its producer, who’s the son of 'bade sahab', should not suffer any loss,” Mann claimed, in an indirect reference to Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah, who is the chairman of the International Cricket Council.
“Now it is being said that the players did not shake hands with the rival team. But the fact is the two sides did play together. Did we not take catches lobbed by them? (BJP leader) Anurag Thakur says tournaments like Asia Cup are multilateral events in which one has to play.
“However, India boycotted the 1986 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka due to the civil unrest there. There was also a boycott when Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996,” Mann said.
In 1996, Australia and the West Indies refused to send their teams to co-hosts Sri Lanka after the bombing of the Central Bank in Colombo by the Tamil Tigers in January that year.
Alleging that the BJP government only does things which suit them, Mann said, "They will not allow a film to be released because it features an Pakistani artiste, but they have no problems with India and Pakistan playing cricket.
“What was the compulsion to play this match? The Pakistan Cricket Board will get a share of the profit, which will in turn be used in anti-India activities," he alleged.
On the Centre denying permission to Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan, Mann said BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Ravneet Singh Bittu should ask their leadership why the pilgrims are being stopped from going to the neighbouring country for Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary.
“For us Punjabis, it is not a matter of politics but a matter of faith,” he said.
“Cricket matches can be held as they suit BJP’s interests, but the feelings of the Sikhs can be hurt as they do not suit them,” Mann said.
Talking about the recent floods in Punjab, Mann said if there is a natural calamity in Afghanistan, the Centre sends aid to the country “immediately”.
“The Centre announced Rs 1,600 crore assistance in view of the floods. But when I asked the chief secretary, I was told that the money is yet to be released.”
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CM Siddaramaiah ready to "sacrifice power" or continue, as per Rahul's directions: Rajanna
Bengaluru (PTI): As the speculation about leadership change in Karnataka rages yet again, a senior party leader and close aide of Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the Chief Minister was ready to "sacrifice power" or continue in the top post, based on the directions of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
KN Rajanna also seemed to support the idea of a change in the party leadership as well, an apparent reference to deputy CM and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar, whose supporters want him to be made CM.
Urging the Congress high command to clear the confusion on the leadership issue, Rajanna, a former minister who is considered close to Siddaramaiah, warned that continued uncertainty would be detrimental for the party and governance.
He also insisted that if the chief minister is changed, there should be a "Dalit CM" in Karnataka.
The development comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"The Chief Minister has an open mind and has said he will abide by the directions of the high command and Rahul Gandhi, and that everyone should cooperate. The CM has repeatedly reiterated that he will abide by Rahul Gandhi's directives and suggested that everyone follow the decision. All ministers have agreed to it," Rajanna said in response to a question about the CM's recent discussion with his close cabinet colleagues and MLAs.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "power is not permanent for any politician, those who lose it will try to gain it and those who have gained it will try to maintain it. The CM's mindset is that he is ready to sacrifice power or continue in power as per Rahul Gandhi's directions. He will abide by Rahul Gandhi's decision."
When asked whether supporters of Siddaramaiah demanded that he continue as CM, and if he steps down, that an AHINDA leader should take over, the MLA said the matter is for the high command to decide.
"We have told the high command what we had to. Ultimately it is left to high command and Rahul Gandhi," he said.
AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) is considered as the strong support base of Siddaramaiah and also the Congress party.
When asked about his past statement that there should be a Dalit CM after Siddaramaiah, Rajanna said, "What's wrong with it. I am committed to the statement that there should be a Dalit CM."
MLAs and leaders who want Shivakumar to be elevated have recently claimed they expect some "sweet news" by May 15, which is their leader's birthday.
When asked whether the party president should also be changed, the former minister said that everything has to change.
"If the ministers have to change, why shouldn't the party president. Everything will be decided by high command," he said.
Shivakumar is the state Congress President and has completed six years in the post.
For the government to function more actively towards the welfare of the people it is important that the high command clears the existing confusion in the Congress party at the earliest, Rajanna said, adding, the ministers have gone to discuss the same with the leadership.
"I too urge that the high command should not allow the confusion to continue; as long as the confusion continues, it is detrimental for the party and governance. I will also go to Delhi after May 4," he said.
"The high command is at it (resolving the confusion), but because of elections, the leaders are busy. The matter cannot be decided hastily, it must be decided with a clear state of mind, as it involves the future of the people of Karnataka and the party," he said, expressing confidence that the party will take appropriate decisions after examining all aspects.
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Monday met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary (in charge of Karnataka) Randeep Surjewala in New Delhi and requested them to address the speculation regarding the change of leadership in the state.
Subsequently Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa too met the party leadership in Delhi.
Both Jarkiholi and Mahadevappa are considered close to Siddaramaiah.
Regarding the demand for cabinet reshuffle, Rajanna said there is an expectation within both the party and the public that the administration should be sensitised more, and there is nothing wrong in new people getting opportunities.
Responding to a question, Rajanna said, there is a feeling among AHINDA communities that their expectations from the current government have not been fulfilled. "I too agree with it," he said.
Rajanna, who recently alleged that the Chief Minister is "helpless" and under some "compulsion," reiterated his statement by saying, "compare Siddaramaiah as CM during 2013-18 and 2023 to now, there is a huge difference, people are saying it."
The leadership issue is being hotly debated as Shivakumar's supporters have been demanding his elevation since late 2025, in lines with a rumoured power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections.
