New Delhi/Chandigarh: The central government has declined political clearance for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s proposed visit to Japan, where he was scheduled to attend the Asian Games men’s hockey semi-finals on October 1. The journey held significant sporting interest for the state, as eight players in the 20-member Indian national hockey squad hail from Punjab. Mann had been scheduled to depart for Japan on Wednesday following an official invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation to observe the concluding fixtures of the tournament in Aichi-Nagoya.
According to state government officials, the Centre withheld permission due to VIP security concerns. Authorities indicated that managing high-profile security protocols for a visiting dignitary amidst a massive international multi-sport event posed substantial operational challenges, underscoring that public safety arrangements could not be compromised. The invitation extended to Mann encompassed the semi-final matches alongside the bronze and gold medal encounters scheduled between September 30 and October 3.
Beyond cheering on the national side, the visit was linked to administrative preparations for the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, which Punjab is scheduled to host across Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. The Asian Hockey Federation had proposed that Mann and a state delegation review Japan’s world-class organizational infrastructure and tournament logistics to gain valuable operational insights ahead of hosting the marquee continental championship on home turf.
This development marks the third occasion the central government has declined political clearance for Mann’s overseas tours. In August 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs denied permission for his visit to the Paris Olympics to support the men’s hockey team, sparking political friction between the Aam Aadmi Party administration in Punjab and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government. Similarly, in January 2026, clearance was denied for a proposed investment delegation to the United Kingdom and Israel prior to the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit. Mann has, however, previously travelled abroad for governance objectives, including leading a state trade delegation to Japan in December 2025 followed by investment engagements in South Korea.
