Can a cricket match with Pakistan happen, but devotees cannot bow their heads at Kartarpur Sahib? CM Mann’s attack on the Centre

Chandigarh, Sept 2025 : The Central Government is deliberately looking at the faith of Punjabis and their devotion towards Gurus through a political lens. A green signal is given for cricket matches between India and Pakistan, but the same government stops the path of devotees who want to visit Shri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and Shri Nankana Sahib. This double attitude has now begun to hurt Punjabis. A live cricket match can happen, Pakistan can be shown on television, but the path of devotion is closed? Bowing one’s head on the land of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is not politics, it is the soul of Punjab. This protest is not only of Sikhs, it is a question of the identity of the whole of Punjab.

Sometimes films are stopped because there are Pakistani artists in them, and they are declared anti-national. On the other hand, a match with Pakistan is played and it is described as a festival of patriotism. The film that was already shot was not allowed to be released, but the match was happening live. Has the concern of earning money become bigger than faith? The Prime Minister says that blood and water cannot flow together, then why is the cricket field open? And why have the doors been closed for devotees? At the door of devotion there is no business, no politics, there is only devotion, only service.

This attitude of the Central Government is insulting to Punjab. Shri Kartarpur Sahib and Shri Nankana Sahib are our pilgrimages, not political centers. Every day in prayer we ask for this very opportunity — to serve there and bow our heads there — and that very path has been closed.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has raised serious questions on this decision of the Central Government and said that if cricket can happen, then why not darshan? He clearly said that this is a question of emotions and governments cannot fight with emotions. When Punjab was battling floods, the Central Government only held press conferences. The Mann Government itself came down to the ground and carried out relief work. Cleaning and medical teams were sent to 2300 villages. After the water receded, the Mann Government’s presence in every lane showed who really stood with the people.

At the time of crisis in Afghanistan, help was sent immediately, but in the name of relief for Punjab there were only assurances. ₹1600 crore was announced, but till today not even ₹1 has reached Punjab. The Chief Minister clearly said, what is this enmity for? Is it because the Punjab Government does not run according to your instructions? To Sunil Jakhar, Ravneet Bittu and other BJP leaders, the Chief Minister said — if you have the courage, then ask the Prime Minister why the ban on darshan at Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and Shri Nankana Sahib? Cricket can be played, but devotees are not allowed to bow at the Guru’s door?

The Central Government is taking revenge on Punjab. It seems as if, if this government does not run according to them, then it is punished, help is stopped, hurdles are created in development plans, and now even the paths of faith have been closed.

Punjab is the land that has given martyrs like Bhagat Singh and Kartar Singh Sarabha. This land never bows down. Whenever a crisis has come, Punjab has risen and stood even stronger than before. Do not challenge the faith of Punjabis. Shri Kartarpur Sahib and Shri Nankana Sahib are not lands of compromise, they are a part of our hearts. Cricket can wait, politics too, but devotion cannot.

The Punjab Government has again made it clear — this government does not only give speeches, it serves on the ground. This is the difference, when a government belongs to the common man. That is why today every Punjabi is saying — this is not a government, it is like us… it works, and it stands on the ground.