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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today announced that those who protected those guilty of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib during the previous governments will soon be sent behind the bars. He said that the Punjab Government has now ensured strict legal punishment for the culprits of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji through the historic ‘Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026’.

Addressing a huge gathering during Shukrana Yatra, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this law will act as a permanent check against sacrilege and will ensure that no one dares to disturb the peace and brotherhood of Punjab. On getting the opportunity to serve humanity by enforcing the law, he thanked God and said, “I am indebted to God for giving me the service of implementing the ‘Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026’, which provides for strict punishment for sacrilege.

He appealed to the people to go from village to village to spread awareness about this law and ensure that every person knows that anyone involved in sacrilege will now face strict punishment. He further said, “Fearing punishment, many top opposition leaders including Akali leader Sukhbir Singh Badal are already running away.”

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the old rulers had neither the intention nor the will to make a law to stop sacrilege, due to which incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji occurred repeatedly during their rule. He said, “The Punjab government has now passed a law which will end it forever as no one will dare to commit such a despicable crime again.” Criticizing the Akali leadership, he said that during their rule, orders were given to open fire on innocent people protesting against sacrilege incidents.

Taking a dig at the Akali leadership over the drug menace, the Chief Minister said, “The Akalis should be booked for genocide of generations because they patronized the drug trade, which flourished during their long misrule.” He stressed that the hands of these leaders are stained with the blood of the youth of Punjab because during the previous governments, drugs spread under government patronage and many youths fell prey to it. He said, “Their crimes cannot be forgiven and the people of Punjab will never forgive these leaders who destroyed generations.”

Slamming the Akali Dal for hurting the sentiments of Punjabis through incidents of sacrilege, the Chief Minister said the Akalis sought votes in the name of Gurbani and also insulted the Guru’s words. He said that Akali leaders often claim development during their tenure, but deliberately ignore the incidents of Kotkapura, Bahibal Kalan and others, where sacrilege took place and innocent people lost their lives.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the Akali leadership ruthlessly plundered Punjab and patronized a mafia that weakened the state socially and economically. “The Akalis broke Punjabis emotionally and saved the mafia, who ruined Punjab. Promoting the drug trade during their rule is tantamount to betrayal of the people,” he said.

Taking a dig at Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Chief Minister said that the Akalis have completely lost their base among the public and now paid people are called to gather crowd in the rallies. He said, “The same faces are seen in every Akali rally.” He said that the leaders who once claimed to rule for 25 years have now been pushed into political oblivion by the conscious and brave people of Punjab. He described the Akali leadership as opportunistic and said that they keep changing their stand and ideology as per their political convenience.

Giving an example, the Chief Minister said that the leader responsible for sacrilege had once appeared at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and publicly admitted his mistakes, but later retracted his statement when it did not suit his political interests. “The people of Punjab know his real face and understand that he has repeatedly misled the public through political tactics,” he said. He further said that the leaders who were once considered invincible, today are not able to find even five members to form the party committee.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann reminded the people that the old rulers patronized gangsters and protected drug smugglers, thereby pushing the youth of Punjab towards drugs. “The people of Punjab will never forgive the Akalis for these crimes and will teach them another tough lesson,” he said. He said that despite being elected repeatedly, the Akalis betrayed Punjab and stabbed the people in the back. “He misused religion for political interests and people will never forgive him for this,” he said.

Underlining the importance of this law, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab government considers itself fortunate that it got the opportunity to pass such a historic law. He said, “The sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was part of a deep conspiracy to disturb peace, brotherhood and communal harmony in Punjab.” He said that this law ensures exemplary punishment for anyone found guilty.

The Chief Minister expressed hope that this law will prevent such incidents in future. He said that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is the collective responsibility of the entire society to protect its sanctity.

He said that people all over the world are expressing happiness and gratitude on the implementation of this law. He said, “I have started this Shukrana Yatra from Sri Anandpur Sahib to thank God for giving us the strength and courage to pass this historic Act.” He told that till May 9, he will pay obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Mastuana Sahib, Gurudwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib and Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the sole purpose of this yatra is to thank God for enabling the Punjab government to implement this important law. Thanking the people who gathered in large numbers despite the scorching heat, he said that they are fully committed to serving the public. He said, “Other leaders go out after seeing the weather, but I always remain among them for the welfare of the people.”