Punjab chief minister, Charanjit Siingh Channi the so-called “common man’s” leader who loves to step out of his vehicle to meet the commoners, seems to be bothered by the noise created by protesting organizations on his visits to different parts of the state.
To cut down the protesting voice, the Punjab police has issued orders to all deputy commissioners and district police heads to arrange DJs to play out loud Gurbani/religious songs at the venues of protests during the CM’s visit, so that sloganeering becomes inaudible.
The orders were issued by the special protection unit of the police, copies of which have been sent to the chief minister’s principal secretary and the director-general of police (DGP).
The order read, “Regarding the subject matter, it is written to you that whenever the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Punjab has a function program in your district, during the arrival of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Punjab, on the way, two different organizations would raise their voice. Slogans are raised. Therefore, in the future, whenever the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Punjab, has a function/program in his district, a DJ should be posted at the place where 2 different organizations are protesting their demands. If Gurbani Shabad/religious songs are played in, then their voices should not be heard”.
Additionally, it was highlighted by the member of the Congress party itself. The order was shared on Twitter by Congress leader Sunil Jhakar. “It couldn’t be true! Sacrilegious and mockery of democracy”, Jhakar said while sharing the order.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Malaviya also questioned Punjab CM why he could not talk to the protesting teachers instead of drowning their voices out.
Former chief minister and Punjab Lok Congress founder Capt Amarinder Singh termed the development as “a classic case of the theatre of absurd” and said, “People are protesting and agitating about their problems, and you are singing divinity to them. This is not even hilarious. It is a tragic farce, so characteristic of this government”
