Chandigarh, August 23
After the Punjab Police quickly resolved the temple desecration case in Khanna, Ludhiana district, and arrested the accused, Representatives of the temple committee and Hindu organizations met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh to express their gratitude.
Following the meeting, Deepak Bali, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party Punjab, stated that the swift resolution of the case has significantly increased the Hindu community's trust in the Punjab government. He commended Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his role, noting that while the case touched upon the sentiments of the Hindu community, it had also sparked widespread anger across all religions and communities in Punjab. Bali emphasized that the Punjab Police, under the Chief Minister's direction, worked diligently to deliver justice.
AAP spokesperson Neel Garg stated that the commitment with which the Mann government resolved this case and arrested the accused is commendable. He added that the Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to the people of the temple committee and the organizations involved. Garg noted that in such situations, people often lose patience and incidents can escalate. However, after this incident, the local community, temple committee, and Hindu organizations maintained faith in the administration and government and supported them, and they also deserve thanks.
Neel Garg mentioned that during their conversation, the Chief Minister emphasized that the government operates with a spirit of complete secularism. For the Chief Minister, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians are all equal, and there will be no tolerance for the politics of hatred in Punjab. He highlighted that Punjab is known for its social harmony, where people celebrate Eid, Diwali, Holi, and Guruparb together. Garg added that the government has issued strict instructions that no culprit should be spared.
Addressing the media alongside leaders of Hindu organizations, Mahant Banshi Das stated that after meeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, it was clear that he embodies the religious neutrality he speaks about in his speeches. He expressed that the meeting left them very happy and satisfied.
Mahant Banshi Das praised the Punjab Police for their commendable work in apprehending the accused from other states. This achievement has boosted the morale of the Hindu community and increased their trust in the Punjab government and its law and order. He noted that people now feel their religious places are safe and that the government respects their religious sentiments.