Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Punjab CM's 'Shoe Duty' for Cops Sparks Political Row
Imagine the leader of a state, like a principal of a school, visited a special place.
Normally, police help keep the leader safe.
But in this case, two police officers were told to specifically watch over the leader's shoes.
This made other politicians very angry.
They said it was wrong to use police officers for such a task, calling it a silly or boastful thing to do.
One politician even joked about the shoes being very expensive.
The leader being visited said that these critics don't have anything better to talk about and are focusing on small things like shoes instead of real problems in the state.
He was visiting to start building new pipes for water and sewage, which is important for the city.
Two police officers were assigned to guard Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's shoes during his visit to a gurdwara in Sri Muktsar Sahib.
An order from the Muktsar police specified Head Constable Roop Singh and Constable Sarbat Singh for this duty at Gate No. 7.
Opposition leaders, including BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, criticized the assignment.
Critics called the act hypocritical and a waste of police resources, with some implying the shoes were expensive.
Chief Minister Mann indirectly responded, stating that opponents were focusing on trivial matters like his shoes due to a lack of a roadmap for Punjab.
- Who
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, two police personnel (Head Constable Roop Singh and Constable Sarbat Singh), and opposition leaders.
- What
- Two police officers were assigned to guard the Punjab Chief Minister's shoes during his visit to a gurdwara, leading to a political controversy.
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, at the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara.
- Why
- Opposition leaders criticized the assignment as a sign of hypocrisy and misuse of police resources, while the CM suggested opponents lacked substantive issues.
Opposition's Criticism
Chief Minister Mann's Response & Context
Assignment of Police Personnel
Opposition's Criticism
Assigning police officers to guard the Chief Minister's shoes is inappropriate, a waste of resources, and hypocritical, especially for a leader claiming to represent the common person ('Aam Aadmi').
Chief Minister Mann's Response & Context
The Chief Minister indirectly dismissed the criticism, suggesting that his opponents have no substantive issues to raise regarding Punjab's development and are instead focusing on trivial matters like his footwear.
Use of Police Duty
Opposition's Criticism
Police duty should be for security and law enforcement, not for tending to personal items of a politician, implying a potential misuse of power or an ostentatious display.
Chief Minister Mann's Response & Context
The Chief Minister framed the criticism as a deflection from his government's developmental agenda, specifically mentioning the launch of projects worth Rs 138.83 crore for water and sewerage system upgrades in Sri Muktsar Sahib.
- Event
- Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's visit to Darbar Sahib Gurdwara
- Location
- Sri Muktsar Sahib
- Assigned Personnel
- Head Constable Roop Singh and Constable Sarbat Singh
- Duty Assignment
- Guarding Chief Minister's shoes at Gate No. 7
- Criticism From
- Opposition leaders, including BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu
- CM's Response
- Indirectly addressed controversy, questioning opponents' roadmap for Punjab and stating that their slippers and shoes have become an issue.
- Context of Visit
- Laying foundation stone for projects worth Rs 138.83 crore under AMRUT 2.0 scheme for water and sewerage system upgrade.
Sources
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