Over a week after submitting his resignation, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit continued to be active in his role, with his resignation yet to be accepted. On Monday, Purohit announced his plans for his sixth border visit, scheduled from February 20 to 23, in his two-and-a-half years tenure.
Purohit, who holds dual positions as the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of UT Chandigarh, had cited personal reasons for his decision to step down, submitting his resignation to the president Draupadi Murmu on Saturday last (February 3). Despite this, there has been no official decision regarding the acceptance of his resignation, leaving uncertainty lingering over his future tenure. Thus, he continued with his role as Punjab Governor and UT Administrator.
Recently, Purohit held a meeting with officials in UT, Chandigarh, where he addressed ongoing issues and sought accountability for shortcomings. Following the prolonged delay in the acceptance of his resignation, Purohit has resumed his active engagement, signaling his commitment to his duties.
Now, during his visit to Punjab’s border districts, Purohit is set to tour Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka. The agenda for his tour encompasses reviewing the progress made since his previous visits and addressing any emerging challenges.
Purohit will convene meetings with the central agencies and also the State Government officials to foster better coordination and tackle issues such as border security, infrastructure development, and curbing drug trafficking.
Notably, Purohit’s border visits have often sparked controversy, particularly due to his candid discussions on sensitive topics like law and order, drug abuse, and illegal activities.
In addition to governmental meetings, Purohit plans to interact with Village Defence Committees (VDCs), vital in combating social evils in border regions. These engagements aim to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of ground-level challenges and inform policymaking processes.
Key stakeholders, including Punjab’s Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, and representatives from security forces like the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Army, are expected to participate in the visit.
Going into background, the Chandigarh Air Force Show marked the beginning of a heated dispute between Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Their initial clash occurred during the Air Force Day celebrations in October 2022, where President Murmu was also in attendance. Purohit expressed his displeasure at Mann's absence from the event, citing it as his constitutional duty to attend. This incident fueled tensions between the two, setting the stage for further discord.
The dispute escalated during a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly convened on June 19-20, 2023. The State Government had sent four bills for the Governor’s approval, including amendments to Sikh Gurudwara laws, police reforms, university regulations, and affiliated college services. However, Purohit deemed the session and the bills unconstitutional based on expert advice, triggering a legal battle between the state government and the Governor.
Subsequently, the Punjab Government approached the Supreme Court seeking validation for the special session. After hearing arguments from both sides, the Apex Court ruled in favor of the State Government, upholding the legality of the session and the bills passed therein. Despite this legal setback, tensions between Purohit and Mann continued to simmer, exacerbated by their divergent views on governance and constitutional authority.
Purohit’s scrutiny extended beyond legislative matters to pressing social issues plaguing Punjab's border districts. During his visits to these areas, Purohit raised concerns about drug trafficking and questioned the efficacy of the government's policies in combating the menace. His comments drew attention to the pervasive nature of the problem, even in border villages where drug peddling was rampant.
Moreover, Purohit’s refusal to use the State Government's helicopter for his official travels further strained his relationship with Mann.
Amidst mounting tensions, Purohit issued a stern warning to Mann, reminding him of his constitutional obligations and the repercussions of disregarding the Governor's communications. Purohit's letter, dated August 15, 2023, served as a stark reminder of the institutional boundaries and the need for mutual respect in governance.
