Congress MP Questions AAP’s Religious Outreach
Dharamvira Gandhi says public funds should focus on healthcare, education and jobs; AAP defends government-funded pilgrimages
- Gandhi criticised programmes such as “Ek Shaam Shiv Ke Naam” and “Hamare Ram”.
- He questioned the use of taxpayers’ money for religious programmes and pilgrimages.
- The Patiala MP said the state should not promote one religion over another.
- AAP defended the initiatives, saying government-funded pilgrimages fulfil people’s aspirations.
GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 24th Aug: Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi has criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government over its religious and pilgrimage programmes, questioning the use of public money for initiatives promoting religious outreach.
In a sharply worded Facebook post, Gandhi referred to the AAP leadership as “Kejri-Bhagwant & Co” and said taxpayers contribute to the government with the expectation that public funds will be used to improve healthcare, education, employment and infrastructure.
Gandhi specifically questioned programmes including “Ek Shaam Shiv Ke Naam” and “Hamare Ram”, besides government-supported pilgrimages to religious destinations such as Shri Khatu Shyam, Salasar, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Vrindavan and Shri Hazur Sahib.
He argued that religion is primarily a matter of individual faith and that the government should maintain neutrality rather than promote or patronise one religion. He also cautioned that state-sponsored religious outreach could contribute to social divisions and communal tensions.
The Congress MP’s intervention comes as the AAP government has increasingly highlighted religious, cultural and pilgrimage-related initiatives in its public outreach in Punjab.
AAP, however, defended the programmes and rejected the criticism. An AAP spokesperson said there was nothing wrong with the government’s initiatives.
“Government-funded pilgrimages fulfil 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,” the party said.
Gandhi’s criticism also brings attention to the broader political contest in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The BJP has been seeking to expand its support among Hindu voters, particularly in urban areas, while the AAP has increasingly sought to broaden its political outreach beyond its traditional support base.
The issue also poses a question for the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, which have so far not made the AAP government’s religious programmes a sustained political campaign issue.
Congress has historically maintained a significant support base among Hindu voters in Punjab, while the BJP has sought to consolidate this segment over the years.
Gandhi’s remarks therefore place religious outreach within the larger electoral contest over Punjab’s Hindu electorate, with political parties likely to sharpen their strategies as the 2027 Assembly election approaches.
