Regional journal: All’s not well with Sukhbir

All’s not well with Sukhbir

For the third time in six months, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has appeared with a new injury. This time, a bandaged left arm due to a shoulder muscle tear, which he reportedly suffered during a recent visit abroad. He had fractured his right leg in November 2024 and injured his right shoulder in March 2025. Despite these setbacks, he has kept going. His supporters admire his determination, but opponents call it a sign of fatigue — both physical and political.

Abhay at it again

Notorious for making “below-the-belt” remarks against political adversaries, INLD’s outspoken president Abhay Singh Chautala was at it again the other day. Speaking on the ongoing “water war” between the two neighbouring states, Chautala dubbed Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann as “dummy CMs”. Reason: Saini is being “remote-controlled” by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar while Mann is “led by the nose” by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.

Testing times for HP board

The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education faced a double whammy in the Class XII English exam. In the first goof-up, the exam was postponed when an invigilator opened up the question paper accidentally a day before the exam. Later, a wrong answer key was used to evaluate the paper, resulting in incorrect marks and re-evaluation of the result. Needless to say, the board needs to get its act together.

Can’t govern, step down!

Former Himachal CM Shanta Kumar, known for his outspokenness, continues to voice his concerns despite being retired from politics. The octogenarian recently took to social media to highlight the state’s deteriorating healthcare system, including the production of substandard medicines in state pharma units. His post, which has gone viral, concluded with an Urdu couplet: “Kursi hai janaza nahin, kuch kar nahin sakte to utar kyon nahin jate.” (The chair is not a funeral; if you can’t do anything, why not step down?)

SGPC ‘shields’ SAD chief

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) swiftly intervened to ease tensions between the Jathedars of Punjab (Akal Takht and Damdama Sahib) and Takht Patna Sahib. The latter had summoned SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, accusing him of interfering in the affairs of the Bihar-based Takht. This move drew a sharp response from Akal Takht. With Sukhbir already embroiled in multiple controversies, Sikh circles believe the SGPC’s mediation is aimed at shielding him from another Panthic dispute ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.

Boost for Punjab’s drug war

Security agencies have noted a significant drop in drones smuggling heroin from Pakistan since the easing of India-Pakistan hostilities. While exact figures are unavailable, officials confirm that UAV sightings have reduced drastically. This development strengthens CM Bhagwant Mann’s anti-drug campaign as disrupted supply chains are expected to curb demand. With heroin supply dwindling, Punjab can finally breathe easier.

Retired but not gone

Following the six-month extension granted to Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena and the re-employment of former Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, several retiring officers in Himachal Pradesh are now lobbying for similar perks. This trend has caused unease among those eyeing these coveted posts. Notable officers due to retire include DGPs Atul Verma and Sanjiv Ranjan Ojha (May end) and IFS officer Anil Joshi (August). Even recently retired state cadre officers are pushing for key positions, capitalising on the recent precedent.

Contributed by Archit Watts, Pradeep Sharma, Subhash Rajta, Pratibha Chauhan, Neeraj Bagga, Ravi Dhaliwal and Ambika Sharma

India