North News
Chandigarh, August 3
Highlighting security concerns, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied permission to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his planned trip to Paris to support the Indian Hockey team at the Olympics. The MHA cited issues related to his Z+ security status. Bhagwant Mann confirmed the development in an official release on Saturday late evening.
Mann on Saturday called Captain of Indian Hockey squad Harmanpreet Singh and extended best wishes to him for the ensuing quarter final match in the ongoing Paris Olympics. During the telephonic conversation, the Chief Minister bemoaned that he wanted to go to Paris and cheer up the Indian Hockey team live but unfortunately the Union government has not given permission for it. He said that due to reasons best know to the centre government the political clearance was denied to him. Bhagwant Singh Mann said he wanted to be with the Indian Hockey team during the match but will have to now see them live on TV screen.
The Chief Minister said that no matter they have been denied the permission but the entire country in general and Punjab in particular will be with the Hockey heroes during this match. He expressed hope that the Hockey team will script a new success story by bagging Gold medal for the country in the Paris Olympics. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the entire country is eagerly waiting for this defining moment adding that rousing reception will be given to the Hockey team returning home with medal.
Sharing some technical points of the game, the Chief Minister advised Harmanpreet to lay major thrust on mending the gap at centre from where maximum passes were made by Australian contingent during a recent match. He said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that India had drubbed the Australian team after a gap of 52 years. Bhagwant Singh Mann also lauded the excellent game being exhibited by all the players and said that the entire country is proud of them.
with a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). “I spoke with hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh on the phone today and offered my encouragement. We had hoped to travel to Paris to support the team and boost the players’ morale, but the central government did not permit it. Nevertheless, we stand with you wholeheartedly. Best of luck for the next competition,” CM Mann wrote in his post on X.
Chief Minister Mann, who holds a red diplomatic passport usually facilitating expedited visa processing, had sought political clearance from the MHA for his Paris visit to motivate the players during the quarterfinal match on August 4 in the ongoing Olympics. The Home Ministry reportedly emphasized that Paris is particularly crowded these days and arranging Z+ security for the Chief Minister at short notice was not feasible.
Despite the travel restrictions, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday congratulated the
