Chandigarh, 24 January 2025: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will now hoist the national flag in Patiala on Republic Day, marking a shift from the originally scheduled venue at Nehru Sports Stadium in Faridkot. The decision follows the appearance of pro-Khalistan graffiti and flags on the stadium’s outer walls on Thursday morning.
Government officials initially ordered the event to be held at Shaheed Major Harminder Pal Singh Government College in Mohali, but later announced that Water Resource Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal would preside over the event there.
For the Republic Day function, the Polo Ground in Patiala, which has hosted similar events in recent years due to security considerations, was selected.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally during the parliamentary elections also took place there.
The pro-Khalistan graffiti in Faridkot has been claimed by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), whose leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a video urging youth to replace the Tricolour with Khalistan flags. The video also contained inflammatory statements and threats directed at CM Mann.
Police launched a probe into the incident, registering a criminal case under the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and other sections of the law.
ADGP Internal Security Shive Kumar Verma had visited the Nehru Stadium two days prior to review security arrangements, with heavy police deployment in place. Despite this, miscreants defaced the stadium’s walls.
Faridkot police, led by SP(D) Jasmeet Singh, inspected the site and quickly removed the flags while covering the graffiti with black paint. Investigating officer Jagtar Singh confirmed efforts are underway to identify the perpetrators. Officials registered a case against Pannun and unidentified SFJ members in connection with the act.
Faridkot’s SP Jasmeet Singh remarked, “The situation is under control, and we are working diligently to ensure the event’s security across all venues.”
