Saptrishi Soni ji
Punjab has been thrust into an atmosphere of heightened anxiety and political tension after a series of worrying developments involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. These events revolve around his recent hospitalisation, renewed security threats, and the broader implications for public safety and political stability in the state.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was admitted to Fortis Hospital in Mohali on February 15 after experiencing exhaustion and other health discomfort, marking another instance in a series of medical episodes in recent months. Hospital sources confirmed that he underwent comprehensive assessments and supportive care, and while his vital signs remained stable, he was kept under observation by a multidisciplinary medical team to ensure his condition could be managed effectively. This marks **his third hospital admission since he became CM in 2022**, underlining the sustained concerns about his wellbeing.
Health concerns surrounding the Chief Minister have increasingly entered public discourse, especially as previous episodes of illness and hospitalisation had drawn attention to the demands of high-intensity political leadership. The public and political observers in Punjab have voiced both support and concern for his recovery, highlighting the importance of robust healthcare support structures for public representatives who shoulder significant responsibilities.
The unfolding situation took a more alarming turn on February 17, 2026, when multiple bomb threat emails were received targeting Fortis Hospital and several schools in Mohali, where the CM is being treated. Authorities reported that these anonymous emails threatened explosions at around 11:00 am and explicitly referenced the hospital where Mann was admitted. Security agencies immediately responded by placing the hospital and affected school premises under high alert, deploying police units, bomb disposal squads, and initiating thorough safety sweeps to rule out any explosive devices.
Initial investigations suggest that these threatening messages may have been sent from overseas IP addresses from the United States and Bangladesh, echoing earlier hoax bomb threats received in recent weeks. However, due to the explicit mention of the Chief Minister’s name and location, law enforcement and intelligence teams are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness, even as **cybercrime units work to trace the origin and credibility of the threats.
The frightening nature of the emails included language suggesting violent intent linked to past political violence, triggering memory of the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995 in a terrorist attack. In the 1995 incident, then-CM Beant Singh was killed in a suicide bombing, a painful chapter in Punjab’s history that still resonates deeply within the collective memory of the state. The invocation of that episode in current threat messages has amplified public concern over the safety of political figures and the potential for politically motivated violence.
As a precaution, authorities have significantly beefed up security around Fortis Hospital and the schools named in the emails, maintaining a robust police presence and ensuring that all safety protocols are in place. Mohali Police have made it clear that **there are no immediate plans to move the Chief Minister to another facility**, as his protection details and hospital security are being reinforced.
The broader reaction from within Punjab reflects a mix of unease and solidarity. Citizens, educators, and parents reacted viscerally to the threats targeting schools, a development that came against the backdrop of ongoing board examinations, compounding fear and disruption for families and students. Local leaders and community groups have urged calm but also called for transparent updates on the investigation and the security measures being instituted to prevent any real harm.
Politically, the situation has fuelled intense debate. Critics argue that growing threats to the health and safety of political leaders such as the Chief Minister highlight deeper issues of law and order, governance pressure, and the need for more resilient institutional protections. Supporters of Mann, meanwhile, have rallied to his side, emphasising that the state government’s focus remains on public welfare, social initiatives, and stabilising governance even amid personal health challenges and scare tactics.
Meanwhile, Punjab’s political environment remains charged with competing narratives about leadership stability and priorities. The state’s focus on anti-drug drives, investment summits and social welfare schemes continues, but these are now interwoven with anxieties about security and political violence — concerns that go beyond electoral rhetoric and touch upon the lived experience of citizens.
In the coming weeks, both health updates from medical professionals and findings from security investigations will be closely watched by the public. For now, the situation remains a potent reminder of the pressures faced by elected leaders, the vulnerabilities in public safety infrastructure, and the need for vigilant, coordinated responses that uphold both democratic processes and individual well-being in Punjab.
