Harpal Cheema defends Punjab Govt spending on religious programs after MP Dharamvir Gandhi’s taxpayer-money criticism
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 24, 2026: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday defended the state government’s spending on religious and cultural programmes after Congress MP from Patiala Dr Dharamvir Gandhi questioned the use of taxpayers’ money for such initiatives.
Gandhi, in a social media post, alleged that taxpayers’ money deposited in the government treasury was being spent on initiatives including free religious trips under programmes such as ‘Ek Sham Shiv Ke Naam’ and ‘Hamare Ram’, as well as on the construction of religious sites and pilgrimages to places including Khatu Shyam, Salasar, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura, Vrindavan and Hazur Sahib.
Responding to the criticism, Cheema said the Bhagwant Mann-led government was not misusing public funds but was using them for initiatives aimed at preserving Punjab’s religious and cultural heritage and connecting younger generations with the teachings of the Gurus and saints.
In a video message, Cheema said, “We are not misusing public money; we are making good use of it by connecting our younger generation with our heritage and with what our Gurus and saints taught us through Gurbani and spiritual teachings.”
Cheema said the government had commemorated the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib with programmes aimed at familiarising the younger generation with the ninth Sikh Guru’s sacrifice and teachings.
He also referred to the ongoing celebrations of the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj across Punjab, saying such programmes were part of efforts to preserve the state’s religious and cultural legacy.
On programmes such as ‘Hamare Ram’, Cheema said these initiatives respected people’s religious sentiments while also introducing children and young people to the country’s cultural heritage.
The Finance Minister also defended the government’s pilgrimage initiatives, saying they were intended to help elderly and economically weaker devotees who may otherwise be unable to visit important religious sites because of financial constraints or age.
Cheema criticised the Congress over its opposition to such initiatives, saying the party was disconnected from the aspirations and sentiments of ordinary Punjabis.
He said the Punjab Government would continue to support initiatives aimed at preserving the state’s religious, cultural and spiritual heritage while respecting the faith and traditions of people belonging to all communities.