Chandigarh: The National Human Rights Commission's (NHRC) action on the safety of buses carrying elderly pilgrims under the Punjab government's Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana has escalated into a sharp political fight. On Sunday, Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon alleged that Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal is prioritising outside 'bus mafia' interests over the safety of elderly residents — that is Dhillon's allegation.

What is verified: The NHRC has taken up the safety of buses operating under the scheme and has sought an explanation from the Punjab government. According to NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo, the Punjab Transport Department told the commission in January 2026 that no sleeper coach buses are registered in the state, and that contradiction is why an investigation was sought. Kanoongo says the commission has acted against about 1,000 buses nationwide over the past year, and that a partition between the driver and passengers is classified as hazardous by CIRT Pune.

The allegations, on both sides: Kejriwal questioned on X why the NHRC inspected only Punjab's pilgrimage buses and called it selective targeting and political vendetta — his allegation. In reply, Kanoongo wrote, "Don't be afraid, Arvind! We haven't yet launched an investigation into the commissions you're getting from running these buses" — also an allegation, with no evidence presented in these reports. Dhillon further alleged that the scheme is being run through close associates from Delhi, with buses and personnel brought in from outside Punjab. Separately, BJP leader Shwait Malik claimed that nearly 1,000 of 2,098 sanctioned specialist doctor posts in Punjab are vacant — also a BJP claim.

No Punjab government response to Dhillon's October 25 statement was included in the reports reviewed. The underlying question — whether the scheme's buses meet safety standards — will be decided only after the government's reply and the NHRC's inspection.