Punjab CM Mann blocked from Paris trip over security concerns; Haryana CM travels freely

The Centre has blocked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's planned trip to Paris for a food fair, citing security concerns and lack of an official functional role. In submissions to the High Court, the Centre stated that Mann had received no formal invitation and faced potential threats to his life, making the visit inadvisable.

Punjab has challenged the decision, arguing it reflects unfair treatment of the state. The government points to Haryana Chief Minister's recent back-to-back overseas visits to Singapore and Sweden as evidence of differential policy application.

The matter has reached the High Court as Mann seeks clearance for the international trip. Punjab's position is that blocking the CM's travel while permitting visits by counterparts from other states amounts to unequal treatment by the Union government.