Chandigarh, October 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has strongly criticised what he described as Emergency-like conditions in Delhi, alleging that 70,000 police personnel had been deployed and protesters asking questions were beaten and detained. He said democracy could not function through fear and coercion, questioning the BJP-led Central Government’s handling of dissent and its attitude towards democratic rights.
Mann also questioned restrictions imposed on his official travel, stating that he had not been permitted to visit Japan for the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final and had to approach the High Court for permission to attend the Delhi Food Festival to promote Punjab’s interests. He contrasted these restrictions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s freedom to travel internationally.
Criticising the authorities’ handling of protests and political opposition, Mann said, “Sometimes people from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) arrive, and they are beaten. Sometimes a political party asks questions about the Election Commission, and its members are beaten. Delhi has been placed under a lockdown as if there were an Emergency. Seventy thousand police personnel have been deployed to prevent people from entering. Why? These are democratic rights. If people want to come, let them come.”
He added, “Instead, they are picked up and thrown into jail. The Prime Minister is afraid even of young children. Just hold a press conference and answer questions. I also want to tell the people of Gujarat to ask him to hold a press conference there. Then we will see.”
Why Must I Approach the Court to Promote Punjab’s Interests? Asks CM Mann
Chief Minister Mann thanked the High Court for allowing him to attend a food festival in Delhi, where the Punjab government cooperative organisation Markfed was scheduled to set up a stall. However, he questioned why judicial permission was necessary for such an official visit.
“The High Court has allowed me to attend the Delhi Food Festival, where Markfed will set up its stall. But why do we have to obtain permission from the High Court for this? Will we now have to approach the court for everything?” he asked.
Mann said the Prime Minister could travel freely across the world, including to China and Malaysia, while his own attempts to travel for Punjab-related engagements faced restrictions.
“The Prime Minister can travel anywhere in the world. He goes to China, Malaysia and wherever he wants. But when I want to travel for Punjab, to bring investment to the state or to attend a food festival where Markfed is setting up a stall, permission is denied. We are going there to promote Punjab’s interests, not to hold a political rally,” he said.
The Chief Minister also questioned the denial of permission for his proposed visit to Japan to watch the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final. He said the tournament was scheduled to begin on the 27th and involved Asian countries that had previously competed in Japan.
“They grant permission to our officials, but Bhagwant Mann cannot go. Are they so afraid of me? I am not going there to hold a political rally. My purpose is to participate in events connected with Punjab’s interests and promote the state,” he said.
Mann said the High Court had now permitted him to travel to attend the Markfed-related event and thanked the court for granting the approval. He added that he was scheduled to leave that night.
CM Mann Challenges PM Modi to Hold Press Conference and Answer Journalists’ Questions
Mann also directly challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the media and respond to questions from journalists.
“I want to appeal to the Prime Minister today: Please hold a press conference. How many years have passed since 2014? We are approaching 2027, and nearly twelve and a half years have gone by. At least hold one press conference and answer journalists’ questions. Why do you keep avoiding answering questions?” he asked.
Concluding his remarks, Mann said he regularly addressed the media without fear because he had nothing to hide.
“I hold three press conferences in a single day, and I am not afraid because I am an honest man. I have nothing to hide. Why does the Prime Minister not hold a press conference?” he said.
