Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to now hoist Tricolour in Patiala
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will hoist the national flag in Patiala on Republic Day, shifting from Faridkot after pro-Khalistan slogans emerged.
In a last-minute change of venue, chief minister Bhagwant Mann will now unfurl the national flag on Republic Day in Patiala instead of Faridkot.
As per the revised schedule issued by department of general administration on Thursday, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan will unfurl the Tricolour at Faridkot, while cabinet minister Barinder Goyal, who was scheduled to hoist the national flag at Patiala, will now participate in the Mohali event.
Though administrative reasons were cited for venue shift, the change came hours after pro-Khalistan slogans were found written on the walls near the Nehru Stadium, the venue for the January 26 function at Faridkot.
In a purported video, pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) claimed responsibility for this alleged act, while issuing threats to the Punjab. CM. Pannun had been designated as a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry under the anti-terror law.
Faridkot superintendent of police (SP) Jasmeet Singh said: “The place where the graffiti was written was away from the Republic Day function venue. A case has been registered against unidentified persons and further investigations are under process.”
Mann, apart from participating in the Republic Day function, was also slated to lay the foundation stones for various projects and inaugurate new buildings at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) and Civil Hospital in Faridkot.
Punjab CM’s R-Day Venue Shifted Amidst Security Concerns After SFJ Threats
In an unprecedented turn of events, the Punjab Government has finalized Patiala as the venue for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to unfurl the national flag on Republic Day, replacing the earlier plan for Faridkot, following a threat from the banned separatist group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The decision was taken after pro-Khalistan slogans, graffiti, and flags were found defacing the walls of Faridkot’s Nehru Stadium — the original venue where the Chief Minister was scheduled to unfurl the national flag on January 26 in a state-level function. The incident, despite tight security preparations, has raised alarm across the State, putting the state police force on red alert.
The controversy deepened when SFJ’s legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannu released a provocative video targeting the Chief Minister and urging the youth to replace the Indian Tricolour with Khalistan flags. In a statement laced with threats, Pannu warned Mann, “Those who walk on Beant Singh’s path will meet the same fate”, referring to the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
The reference to the 1995 assassination of former Chief Minister Beant Singh sent shockwaves across the State, prompting the government to re-evaluate its security arrangements. Despite a significant police presence, the graffiti and flags appeared at multiple locations, raising questions about the security measures in place for such a high-profile event.
The government’s decision-making process has seen multiple twists. Initially, it was announced that the Chief Minister would preside over the Republic Day function in Mohali, while Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan would officiate the Faridkot event. However, a subsequent notification stated that the Chief Minister would instead hoist the flag in Patiala, with Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal taking his place in Faridkot. The frequent revisions have drawn criticism, highlighting the challenges faced by the state in handling both security and logistics.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that security across the State had been intensified. “We have taken comprehensive measures to ensure peaceful Republic Day celebrations. Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police have been instructed to bolster security and intensify patrols in their jurisdictions,” he said.
Revised Plans
Originally, Chief Minister Mann was scheduled to preside over the Republic Day celebrations in Faridkot, where he was to unfurl the national flag and unveil several developmental projects. Key initiatives included the foundation stone for Punjab’s second sports school in Jand Sahib, as well as the inauguration of new facilities at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital. However, the discovery of pro-Khalistan slogans forced the State Government to shift the event to Patiala.
According to the revised schedule, Chief Minister Mann will now unfurl the national flag in Patiala on January 26. The Government official insisted that the change was made to ensure the safety and dignity of the event, while dismissing speculations that it reflected a weakness in handling security threats.
Police Launches Probe
The Faridkot police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Pro-Khalistan graffiti was found not only near Nehru Stadium but also at other locations, including the railway station. A coat of paint was applied to cover the slogans as police teams combed through surveillance footage to identify the perpetrators.
Faridkot Superintendent of Police Jasmeet Singh assured the public that those responsible would be brought to justice. “The graffiti was found away from the main venue, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure public safety,” he said.
Faridkot Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar also clarified that the decision to shift the venue was not solely based on security concerns but also involved logistical considerations.
With Thanks and Reference to : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-to-now-hoist-tricolour-in-patiala-101737659447200.html and https://www.dailypioneer.com/2025/state-editions/punjab-cm—s-r-day-venue-shifted-amidst-security-concerns-after-sfj-threats.html
