BJP, Akalis Call Mann's Paris Trip a 'Birthday Vacation' Amid Jhota Crisisਜਨਮਦਿਨ ਦੀ ਸੈਰ ਜਾਂ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਦੌਰਾ? ਮਾਨ ਦੇ ਪੈਰਿਸ ਦੌਰੇ 'ਤੇ ਭਾਜਪਾ, ਅਕਾਲੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਵਾਲ

Opposition leaders from the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal have questioned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's trip to Paris, calling it a "birthday vacation" while the state is in turmoil over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. The Punjab government says the visit is official: Mann is to lead a delegation for the state cooperative Markfed at the SIAL Paris food fair, which runs from 17 to 21 October. Hindustan Times reported there was no immediate reaction from Mann or the Aam Aadmi Party.

What the opposition is saying

Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia posted: "An Evening in Paris. Punjab suffers in turmoil and the grieving family of martyr Jhota still awaits justice." BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh alleged that Mann was going on a "family trip" with his wife to celebrate his birthday, and asked what justification there was for her to be part of an official delegation. Mann turned 53 on Saturday.

Chugh said taxpayers' money must not pay for private celebrations. Former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu asked whether it was an "official visit or birthday vacation" and demanded that Mann disclose the purpose, expenses and official invitation. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said "Punjab is burning" and alleged that Markfed's participation was being used to justify the travel, according to India Today. These are the opposition's allegations; the government has not responded to them in the reports reviewed.

Official purpose of the visit

Hindustan Times reported that Markfed, the state's apex cooperative, was given a stall in the India Pavilion at SIAL Paris 2026 by APEDA, a body under the Union commerce ministry. Mann was to lead a delegation that would also include the chief secretary and the principal secretary to the chief minister.

The High Court clearance

The Centre had denied political clearance for the visit, and the Punjab government moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, calling the decision arbitrary. On Friday the court allowed the plea. In its detailed order released on Saturday, it said "it has not been explained what that political angle is" and "no reasons are forthcoming", according to The Times of India. Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya also did not accept the Centre's argument that the French government had not properly invited the delegation, noting a communication from the event organiser dated 22 September.

Why it matters

The row comes days after Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on 13 October, with his family still refusing to cremate the body and the Centre asking Punjab for a report on drug-linked killings. With Assembly elections due early next year, the opposition is likely to keep the issue alive.

Why is Bhagwant Mann in Paris?

The Punjab government says Mann is leading a delegation for Markfed at the SIAL Paris food trade fair from 17 to 21 October 2026. The High Court allowed the visit after the Centre denied political clearance.

Who has criticised Mann's France trip?

BJP leaders Tarun Chugh, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia have criticised it, alleging it is a birthday or family trip during the Jhota crisis. The government has not responded in the reports reviewed.

Did the High Court allow the visit?

Yes. The Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the state's plea on Friday and said in its detailed order that the Centre had not explained the "political angle" it cited for denying clearance.