Punjab Police Withdraws Controversial Order Asking Gurbani To Be Played At CM Channi’s Events To Drown Sloganeering

Following the severe criticism, the office of the IG came out with another missive stating that the earlier letter is being withdrawn because of clerical mistake

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New Delhi: Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi-led Punjab government faced flak from the opposition for a police order directing the district authorities to play hymns during his visits in order to counter slogans by protesters. 

The criticism prompted authorities to roll back the directive citing clerical error, news agency PTI reported.

On Thursday, the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Special Protection Unit issued a letter to the deputy commissioners, police commissioners and senior superintendents of police with the subject, ‘Regarding security arrangements during Chief Minister’s visit’.

The letter, written in Punjabi, stated that various bodies raise slogans during the Chief Minister’s visits.

“Therefore, whenever there is a function/programme of the Punjab Chief Minister in your district and different organisations hold demonstrations, DJ be placed and gurbani shabad (hymns)/religious songs be played so the slogans are not heard,” the directive read.

Aam Aadmi Party MLA and leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema posted a copy of the letter on Twitter, slamming the Punjab government over the order.

“How afraid you are @CHARANJITCHANNI? Trying to silence voice of protesting unions by such tactics shows your fear from them. You are not ready to face them & hear them. All you do is drama of being a sympathizer of all those who are fighting for their rights. Utterly Shameful,” Cheema had tweeted on Thursday.

Senior Congress leader and former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar also expressed disbelief in a tweet, writing: “It couldn’t be true ! Sacrilegious and a mockery of democracy”.

Following the severe criticism, the office of the IG came out with another missive stating that the earlier letter is being withdrawn because of clerical mistake, reported PTI.

It is informed that when the Punjab chief minister is hearing pleas of the general public, the sound of loud speakers be lowered so that he does not face any inconvenience in hearing out the public, the revised letter stated, as per PTI.