Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Condemns Akali Opposition to Anti-Sacrilege Law Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Akali Dal of opposing the state’s anti-sacrilege legislation due to their awareness of past misdeeds, during a public address in Faridkot on June 28, 2026. Mann stated that the Akalis’ resistance to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, stems from their knowledge that they must face consequences for previous actions. He emphasized that the law aims to deter future sacrilegious acts against the Guru Granth Sahib, a revered religious text in Sikhism. Mann highlighted the Akalis’ historical involvement in incidents of sacrilege, including the theft of a “bir” (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala gurdwara in 2015, the posting of handwritten sacrilegious posters in Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala, and the discovery of torn pages of the holy book scattered at Bargari. These events, he said, had sparked widespread protests and even led to police firing that resulted in two deaths in Behbal Kalan and injuries in Kotkapura. Mann argued that the Akalis’ current opposition to the law is an attempt to avoid accountability for these past actions. The Punjab Assembly passed the anti-sacrilege amendment bill on April 13, 2026, which includes provisions for stricter penalties, such as life imprisonment for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. Mann praised the law’s careful drafting to prevent future loopholes and ensure its effectiveness in curbing anti-social behavior. He also credited the state government’s efforts to address the issue, stating that the legislation was enacted after consultations with legal experts and with divine guidance.#punjab_chief_minister_bhagwant_mann #akali_dal #faridkot #burj_jawahar_singh_wala_gurdwara
