Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
CM Nayab Saini: Haryana Govt stands firmly with free press, voice of truth cannot be suppressed
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 18, 2026: Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to a free and fearless press, stating that the media is the fourth pillar of democracy and any attempt to intimidate or silence it is a grave mistake. “The voice of truth can never be suppressed,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister was addressing the gathering as Chief Guest at the Ramleela Samiti Samman Samaroh held in Jalandhar, where he honoured office-bearers, artists and social workers associated with various Ramleela committees from Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh.
Paying obeisance at the feet of Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Ram, Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that Ramleela is not merely a stage performance but the soul of India’s cultural heritage.
He said Ramleela teaches future generations that no matter how powerful evil may appear, truth and righteousness always prevail. The Chief Minister lauded Ramleela artists and organizers for preserving cultural values even in the modern era and appreciated the Shri Ram Navami Utsav Samiti for organizing such meaningful events.
Recalling the dark days of terrorism in Punjab, the Chief Minister praised the role of impartial and courageous journalism during that period. He said the Punjab Kesari group has, for decades, upheld the highest standards of truth, fearlessness and ethics.
“There was a time when fear gripped society and people hesitated to step out of their homes, yet even then this media group did not stop its pen,” he said, paying tribute to martyrs Lala Jagat Narayan Ji and Sh Romesh Chandra Chopra Ji, who laid down their lives for the unity and integrity of the nation without bowing to violence.
Sh Saini also appreciated the extensive social service initiatives undertaken by the Punjab Kesari group, noting that for the past 26 years it has been consistently sending relief material to border areas. He said that so far, 910 trucks carrying relief supplies have been dispatched, and even on the occasion of the programme, trucks loaded with relief material were flagged off.
Urging the Ramleela committees honoured at the ceremony to continue spreading the ideals of Lord Shri Ram, the Chief Minister said that just as Ravana’s arrogance was destroyed, forces that seek to trouble truth will also be defeated.
Boosting the morale of Punjab Kesari Group’s Editor-in-Chief Sh Vijay Kumar Chopra, he said, “In this struggle against those who try to suppress the voice of the media, you are not alone. Keep writing with courage and conviction, because the pen is the strongest shield of democracy.”