CHANDIGARH — A sharp political debate over the state funding of religious outreach has erupted in Punjab after Patiala Member of Parliament Dharamvira Gandhi publicly criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann‘s government for using taxpayers’ money to organize and sponsor religious events.
Taking to social media, the Congress lawmaker targeted the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership, arguing that personal faith should remain distinct from state governance and public spending.
Objections Over State-Sponsored Outreach
In a scathing post directed at the ruling party, Gandhi argued that citizens pay taxes to secure essential civic services—such as healthcare, quality education, employment opportunities, and infrastructure—rather than state-promoted religious functions.
“Religion is a matter of an individual’s personal faith; the state should not promote or patronise one religion over another,” Gandhi asserted, warning that state-backed religious patronage risks creating communal divides.
The Patiala MP specifically highlighted several recent government initiatives and sponsored pilgrimages, including:
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Cultural Events: State-organized programs such as “Ek Shaam Shiv Ke Naam” and “Hamare Ram”.
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Pilgrimage Schemes: Government-funded transport for devotees traveling to religious sites, including Shri Khatu Shyam, Salasar, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Shri Hazur Sahib.
Electoral Dynamics and AAP’s Response
Gandhi’s public pushback stands out as an isolated stance within the opposition, as neither the Congress party leadership nor the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has launched a sustained campaign against AAP’s cultural outreach strategies ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly Elections.
Historically, Punjab’s urban Hindu electorate formed a crucial pillar of Congress’s support base. However, AAP’s recent initiatives signal an effort to expand its appeal across demographic lines.
Defending the state’s cultural programs, AAP representatives maintained that public welfare extends to supporting spiritual well-being.
“Government-funded pilgrimages fulfill people’s dreams. Just as people draw inspiration from Lord Ram, the teachings and lives of the Gurus can guide our children towards a better society,” stated an official AAP response.
As political parties calibrate their strategies for the upcoming electoral cycle, Gandhi’s remarks have brought fundamental questions about constitutional secularism and state expenditure back to the forefront of Punjab politics.
