Copyright news18
A fresh political row erupted in Punjab on Sunday after reports surfaced that two policemen were deputed to look after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s shoes during his visit to the historic Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Sri Muktsar Sahib. BJP leaders launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government, accusing it of hypocrisy and “VVIP culture.” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “Once again ‘Sheesh Mahal’ mindset strikes. AAP had said it would never accept VVIP culture, but now it has started a new one. ‘Aam Aadmi’ Bhagwant Mann’s expensive designer shoes and slippers are guarded by Punjab Police, while ordinary Punjabis walk in fear.” He added, “Murders, crimes and gang wars are rising, but don’t worry, the police are busy protecting ‘jhoota,’ not ‘janta.’ They said Pathshala, but built Madhushala. They said a 2BHK house, but they built Sheesh Mahal 1 and 2. They said they need no security, today even the shoes of the CM get protection.” BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal also criticised the move, saying, “Security is deputed ahead of any CM’s visit to a religious place in plain clothes or in uniform, but never to guard the shoes of a CM. This is the height of hypocrisy from a leader who claims to be an ‘Aam Aadmi’.” Now even the CM @BhagwantMann’s shoes get special police protection? ??♂️ If only the government showed the same concern for safeguarding Punjab’s institutions and rights!#Punjab #Governance #Priorities pic.twitter.com/LBM2G12ZEA — Pargat Singh (@PargatSOfficial) November 2, 2025 Taking to X, Baliawal posted, “Police on duty for the boots, police on duty for the boots! There are boots worth lakhs, my dear — but no one dares to quietly take them away! During Chief Minister Mann’s visit to Sri Muktsar Sahib, two police personnel will be assigned to look after Mann Sahib’s boots. The boys from ordinary homes find that these boots look as expensive as something out of a Jazzy B song!” Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also joined in, posting on Facebook in Punjabi, “Maharaja Satoj, you can make as many people guard your shoes, but now it’s the people who will target you with these.” Congress MLA Pargat Singh posted on X a police order issued by the Muktsar Police stating that Head Constable Roop Singh and Constable Sarbat Singh were deputed “on duty on the shoes of CM of Punjab at Gate No. 7 in plain clothes.” The unusual order drew widespread criticism from Opposition parties. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was in Sri Muktsar Sahib to lay the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹138.83 crore under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, which includes upgrading sewerage, water supply systems, and laying new pipelines in newly developed areas. The Aam Aadmi Party is yet to respond to the controversy.
