Bhagwant Mann, the new chief minister of Punjab, announced on Tuesday that Shaheed Diwas (March 23) will be a public holiday for the state. Mann, 48, took oath as the Punjab CM last week on Wednesday.

The Punjab Assembly, which is now crowded with members of Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party, passed a resolution on the same day to erect statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh in the Assembly premises.

Bhagwant Mann, in his short time as the Punjab chief minister so far, has shown admiration for Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. His newly elected leader’s oath-taking ceremony was conducted in Khatkar Kalan, the ancestry village of Bhagat Singh.

Mann said the swearing-in ceremonies earlier took place at cricket stadiums or the Raj Bhavan. “Now this oath-taking ceremony is being held at villages of martyrs. Bhagat Singh had dreamt of freedom and the AAP is fighting to take that freedom to the common people,” he added.

Also Read: Shaheed Diwas: 3 books you should read to know about freedom fighter Bhagat Singh

The people of Punjab were urged to attend the swearing-in ceremony while wearing ‘Basanti’ coloured turbans and shawls.

While speaking at the Punjab Assembly, Mann said that the people of Punjab will have the opportunity to visit Khatkar Kalan because of the holiday and will be able to pay homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Days after taking over the Chief Minister’s office, Mann announced that nearly 25,000 positions vacant in various state departments will be filled up. Out of these, 10,000 were of the Punjab Police.

Adding to the announcement, Mann said that these jobs would be given only on merit and not “recommendations and bribes.” The notifications and processes for the vacancies would be announced within a month.