Bhagwant Mann has committed a ‘contemptuous breach of law’ by dishonoring the dignity of the State Emblem

Bir Devinder Singh

Bir Devinder Singh

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on linkedin
The obsessively-compulsive personality disorder of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann becomes embarrassing for the State.

It is extremely shocking to note the outrageous attempt of the Chief Minister Punjab, Bhagwant Mann committing a serious breach of law by consciously dishonoring the Dignity of the State Emblem by replacing the State Emblem from the ‘Sewa Kendra’ Building with his own Photo, while converting them in to Aam Aadmi Clinics, all over the State.

There is a huge gossip in the social media regarding the acuteness of photo mania and obsessive desire of the Chief Minister Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, to see his picture all around the State.

This narcissism of the Chief Minister and his neurotic mindset with his picture is apparently visible in all the echelon of the State administration; right from the newly converted Aam Aadmi Clinic or Mohalla Clinics in the State to the Calendar of the MARKFED and now the recently released, Diary of the Punjab Government.

mann
Bhagwant Mann

The obsessively-compulsive personality disorder of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann becomes embarrassing for the State; when it transgress limits of the law and moral code.

It may be a case of misplaced fascination for his own fictional fantasies, which manifests the symptoms of sustained inheritance of his lifetime performance as a jovial-joker in his satirical plays at unnumbered stage performances; otherwise no well-meaning Chief Minister of the State would ever attempt to replace the Emblem of the State with his own picture.

I’m fully active in legislative and electoral politics for 42 years, never till date I have ever seen the Picture of the Chief Minister on any Government Building in Punjab or on the hardcover title of the Government Diary.

Nazar-vattu

Even on the residential buildings and other establishments of the private owners the picture of the owner is never displayed accept the illusory replica of a ‘Nazar-Vattu’ ; which is something looking ugly to ward off the ill effects of evil eye and adequately placed atop of the roof boundary or parapet of a newly constructed buildings.

I wonder, as to why on the all the newly converted Aam Aadmi Clinics or Mohalla Clinics remodeled by defacing the ‘Sewa Kendras’; the picture of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is displayed, incongruously replacing the State Emblem from the top of the Government building?

Mann should know that Chief Minister comes and go but the ‘State Emblem’ stays in perpetuity and must be respected diligently.

With this disgusting development a serious question of constitutional impropriety has erupted; whether the State Emblem could be replaced with the picture of the Chief Minister?

If yes, then why not replace everywhere and if not, then why the provisions of the State Emblem Act, 2005, not immediately invoked against the Chief Minister and other senior officials responsible for dishonoring the State Emblem?

A criminal case must be registered against the Chief Minister and others, forthwith for contravening the provisions of the law for blatantly violating section 3, 4 and 7 of the State Emblem Act, 2005.

Also Read: Why Chief Secretary Pb presented his report card to CM Delhi?

It is pertinent to mention here that Sub section 2 of Section 7 of the State Emblem Act, 2005 necessitates as follow;

“Any person who contravenes the provisions of section 4 for any wrongful gain shall be punishable for such offence with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months, which may extend to two years and with a fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.”

Interestingly here Bhagwant Mann has replaced the State Emblem with his picture for the wrongful gain of his personal publicity in utter disregard of the dignity and honor of the State Emblem.

It is relevant to mention here that even the Apex Court in its historic Judgment on May 13, 2015 has explicitly observed that:

 “Taxpayers’ money cannot be spent to build “personality cults” of political leaders.”

The Supreme Court restrained ruling parties from publishing photographs of political leaders or prominent persons in Government-funded advertisements.

The Apex Court said such photos divert attention from the policy of the government, unnecessarily associate an individual with a government project and pave the way for cultivating a “personality cult”.

Therefore the Governor Punjab as custodian of the Constitution must take suo moto notice of this glaring obscurity in contravention of the law and direct the Chief Secretary Punjab, to fix the ‘State Emblems’ from where the same has been replaced with the Photo of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Also Read: Why plunder Punjab’s public treasury to showcase Aam Aadmi Clinics in other states?

The Governor should also ask the Chief Secretary to thoroughly examine the role of top bureaucrats who were instrumental in proposing and approving the design of the Aam Aadmi Clinics with a photo of the CM, replacing the State Emblem.

___________

Also Read:

TRUTH VS FALSEHOOD: BBC – Who is afraid?

Mughal Gardens – Name Changed, But Why?

Industrialization versus Environmental Degradation

75 years of hope and despair

Punjab – How a deadly cocktail of Agri-Water-Energy nexus going to destroy it?

North Pole and the ideological conflict of RSS & Hindutva

Politics of Symbolism: Dalit Chief Ministers in India

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on linkedin
Bir Devinder Singh

Bir Devinder Singh

The author is a former Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and a politician celebrated for his grasp on legislative affairs.

Disclaimer : PunjabTodayTV.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayTV.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.

Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.

— Team PT

Author Related Post
Related Post

Copyright © Punjab Today TV : All right Reserve 2016 - 2024