Reaffirming their commitment to the ideals and sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal pledged on Thursday to realize the dreams of martyrs like Shaheed Udham Singh by ensuring the holistic development of Punjab and welfare of every citizen. The leaders were addressing a public gathering after laying the foundation stones of development projects worth ₹85 crore in the martyr’s native town, aiming to give it a transformative facelift that matches his legacy.
Calling Shaheed Udham Singh the true son of Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that India’s freedom struggle was built upon the blood of selfless revolutionaries. He said the ongoing struggle now is to free Punjab from the clutches of corruption, inequality, and drugs — remnants of misgovernance by previous regimes. According to Kejriwal, it is unfortunate that even after 75 years of independence, the aspirations of martyrs have remained unfulfilled. He blamed successive governments for exploiting power to plunder public wealth and push the state into crises like the drug epidemic and infrastructural decay.
Kejriwal lauded the Mann-led government for initiating an unprecedented crackdown on the drug menace, calling it a historic campaign unmatched in modern Indian history. He noted that the most powerful and politically shielded drug lord in the state has finally been imprisoned — a feat he claimed no previous government dared to undertake. Asserting that such individuals, who poisoned entire generations, will not be spared, Kejriwal said the current administration has taken a zero-tolerance stance against those who inflicted irreversible damage to Punjab’s youth.
Bhagwant Mann, speaking on the same stage, recalled the unparalleled bravery of Shaheed Udham Singh, who waited 21 years to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating Michael O’Dwyer in London. Mann condemned the glorification of those who betrayed the country during colonial rule, stating that a scion of one such family, long involved in the drug trade, is now behind bars — a message that the state will no longer protect the privileged wrongdoers.
The Chief Minister expressed concern that the fruits of independence have not reached every household, blaming post-independence leadership for failing to uphold the legacy of martyrs. He slammed former Prime Ministers for delivering similar Independence Day speeches year after year from the Red Fort without effecting real change on the ground. In contrast, Mann said his government is determined to create real transformation, citing improved infrastructure, rural road construction, educational reforms, and access to healthcare and electricity as visible outcomes.
A key highlight of the event was Mann’s announcement of Punjab’s landmark “Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna,” which offers ₹10 lakh worth of cashless medical treatment to every family in the state. Claiming it to be the first such initiative in the country, Mann said the scheme reflects the AAP government’s vision of providing universal healthcare, easing the financial burden of the people while ensuring high-quality medical services.
The Chief Minister also detailed the achievements of his administration, including the provision of 55,000 government jobs, revival of canal irrigation systems, renovation of government schools, free electricity to 90% of households, and widespread establishment of Aam Aadmi Clinics. He credited Kejriwal for making public welfare sectors like education, health, and infrastructure a central part of national political discourse, moving away from the politics of hatred and division traditionally practiced by other parties.
Both leaders used the occasion to issue a stark warning to the people of Punjab: a return of Congress or the Akali-BJP alliance to power would derail the development initiatives currently underway and push Punjab back into the shadows of corruption and drug dependency. Mann asserted that every penny of public money is now being used for public welfare — a clear departure from the past where it was siphoned off for personal gain.
The event concluded with a symbolic gesture of honoring the descendants of Shaheed Udham Singh, reinforcing the narrative that the current government not only remembers the martyrs but actively works to honor their vision. Cabinet ministers, MLAs, senior AAP leaders including Manish Sisodia, and Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly were present to witness the occasion.
Bhagwant Mann said that Punjab has always been a land of revolutionaries, seers, and saints, and that legacy will be protected and advanced by empowering the people, promoting honesty in governance, and creating opportunities for all. Through these steps, he said, the dream of a “Rangla Punjab” — a vibrant, progressive and just Punjab — will be realized.
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