‘Fake turban’ remark triggers Nayab Saini-Bhagwant Mann showdown; Haryana CM seeks apology from Punjab leader
PTC Web Desk: A fresh political controversy has erupted between Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after the latter criticised Saini over his repeated visits to Punjab and questioned his wearing of a turban in the state.
Saini hit back strongly, saying the turban is not a political symbol but a matter of faith and deep respect for the Sikh Gurus. He accused Bhagwant Mann of hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community and demanded an apology.
Speaking to reporters at Sant Kabir Kutir, his Chandigarh residence, after welcoming several leaders into the BJP, Nayab Singh Saini said the turban represents the values and traditions associated with the Sikh Gurus.
“For us, the turban is a matter of faith and respect for our Gurus,” Saini said.
He alleged that Punjab CM Mann's description of his turban as “fake” was disrespectful to the Sikh Gurus as well as the people of Punjab.
Nayab Singh Saini further said those who questioned the tradition should understand its religious significance. He also urged Bhagwant Mann to apologise to the people of Punjab over his remarks.
What Bhagwant Mann said
The controversy started after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took a swipe at his Haryana counterpart Nayab Singh Saini over his visits to Punjab.
Bhagwant Mann questioned why the Haryana Chief Minister was making frequent trips to Punjab and suggested that Saini was using the turban as part of his political outreach.
According to Bhagwant Mann, Nayab Singh Saini allegedly keeps a turban in his car and wears it after crossing into Punjab from Panchkula. Mann said such an approach would not impress people in the state.
He described the turban as “fake” while taking aim at Saini's political activities in Punjab.
Bhagwant Mann also responded to Saini's earlier criticism that he was known mainly for telling jokes.
Defending his government's record, the Punjab Chief Minister said the work carried out by his government over the past four-and-a-half years could not simply be dismissed as jokes.
Mann added that if Saini did not know how to tell jokes, there was little he could do about it.
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Turban becomes new flashpoint
The latest exchange has added another layer to the political friction between the two neighbouring states. While Mann has continued to question the Haryana government's political outreach in Punjab, Saini has shifted the focus to the religious significance of the turban and demanded an apology.
- PTC NEWS
