In a move aimed at facilitating spiritual journeys, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab recently inaugurated the ‘Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra’ scheme on November 27. This initiative, designed to assist individuals in visiting sacred sites across the country, was officially launched by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Dhuri.
The Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra scheme drew immediate attention and controversy as the opposition, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), labeled it a “relaunch” of a project initiated by the Akali Dal in 2016. The political sparring intensified as leaders exchanged barbs over the scheme’s origins and intentions.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann defended the government’s move, emphasizing that the scheme’s primary objective is to aid pilgrims in their journeys to holy places nationwide. To ensure the well-being of participants, a team comprising doctors, volunteers, and officials will accompany the pilgrims, underlining the government’s commitment to a safe and enriching pilgrimage experience.
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Taking a swipe at the opposition, Mann asserted that they lacked substantial issues to address, accusing them of resorting to misleading tactics. He redirected the narrative towards his predecessors, alleging that they had utilized their official positions to amass wealth and construct opulent palaces inaccessible to the common people.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who joined Mann in inaugurating the scheme, lauded the initiative for its unique focus on individuals lacking the financial means to undertake such spiritual journeys. Kejriwal expressed pride in the success of a similar scheme in Delhi, where over 80,000 people had availed themselves of the opportunity.
The Shiromani Akali Dal, however, dismissed the AAP government’s efforts as a mere attempt to garner publicity and divert attention from what they deemed the “complete failure” of the government. Daljit Singh Cheema, a senior SAD leader, contended that the Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra scheme had been conceptualized and launched during the Akali Dal’s tenure in 2015 and 2016, respectively, only to be discontinued under the subsequent Congress government.
Accusing the AAP government of attempting to mislead the people, Cheema characterized the scheme’s relaunch as a “publicity stunt” and a “propaganda exercise.” The political disagreement underscores the deep-seated rivalry and the tendency to claim credit for public welfare initiatives, creating a complex narrative around a program intended to facilitate religious exploration.
In essence, the Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra scheme has become not just a platform for spiritual exploration but also a battleground for political posturing. As the debate continues, the efficacy and impact of the scheme on the lives of pilgrims remain to be seen, while the political rhetoric surrounding its inception and implementation adds layers of complexity to an initiative designed to cater to the spiritual needs of the people of Punjab.
