Ropar, Aug 2: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday paid obeisance at the revered Gurudwara Katalgarh Sahib in Chamkaur Sahib, Ropar district, accompanied by his wife and daughter. Sources confirmed the visit was purely religious, with no official engagements planned. Mann reached the shrine around 2 pm and remained there for approximately 40 minutes.
Speaking briefly to the media outside the gurudwara, the Chief Minister said he had come to perform ardas (prayer) for the welfare of Punjab and its people. Responding to questions about the recent vigilance raid on realtor Ranjit Singh Gill, Mann said the government had no role in the matter beyond ensuring the rule of law. “Jo karan ge so bharan ge (people will pay for their own deeds),” he said, adding that the law would take its own course.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau recently raided Gill’s office and residence, days after the realtor joined the BJP. Mann did not comment on the timing of the raid but maintained that enforcement agencies were acting independently.
Addressing concerns about the Guru Gobind Singh Skill Development University—an institution brought up during the previous Congress regime but lying unused—the CM said the current government was in the process of utilising all such abandoned buildings. “We are working to put all unutilised infrastructure to use soon,” he said.
Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, who represented Chamkaur Sahib, had alleged that the university was being left idle due to political vendetta. Mann rejected the claim outright. “There’s no vendetta. Our focus is on public welfare,” he said.
Mann also announced that a 50-bed hospital in Chamkaur Sahib is ready and would be inaugurated for public use very soon.
Gurudwara Katalgarh Sahib, the site of Mann’s visit, is one of the most sacred locations in Sikh history. It commemorates the Battle of Chamkaur in 1704, where Guru Gobind Singh, along with his elder sons Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh and a small band of Sikhs, fought against overwhelming Mughal forces. The two Sahibzadas attained martyrdom at this site, which is remembered for their courage and unshakable faith. The word Katalgarh translates to “fort of slaughter,” symbolising the fierce battle and sacrifices made on this hallowed ground.
