Punjab News Daily

Mansa/Sardulgarh, May 8

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday asserted that Punjab is witnessing a historic and revolutionary transformation under the present state government as canal water has reached even the tail-end regions of the state for the first time, while uninterrupted daytime power supply is now being ensured for farmers across Punjab.

Addressing an unprecedented gathering during the ongoing ‘Shukrana Yatra’ at Mansa and Sardulgarh, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is working with complete honesty, transparency and commitment to safeguard the interests of farmers, protect Punjab’s communal harmony and ensure exemplary punishment for those involved in sacrilege incidents. 

He said that for decades the people of Punjab had suffered due to the anti-people policies of previous governments, but now a new era of accountability, development and justice has begun in the state. Launching a blistering attack on opposition parties, Bhagwant Singh Mann said leaders of the Akali Dal and Congress had approached the High Court seeking cancellation of the stringent anti-sacrilege legislation because they wanted to save themselves and their political associates from the ambit of the law. 

The Chief Minister said the Court not only dismissed their petitions but also imposed fines on the petitioners, thereby further strengthening the legal sanctity and constitutional validity of the legislation. 

He said Akali and Congress leaders approached the High Court because they were afraid of this law. 

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the know that the era of protecting sacrilege accused is over. 

The Chief Minister said that this historic law has the approval of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Governor and the Court as well. Reiterating the firm commitment of his government to protect the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, he declared that no accused in sacrilege cases would now be able to escape punishment by pretending mental illness or taking refuge behind fabricated excuses. Bhagwant Singh Mann said the newly enacted Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026 clearly stipulates life imprisonment for those found guilty of sacrilege and also provides stringent punishment for the handlers, protectors and conspirators behind such heinous acts.

Earlier, the Chief Minister said that the sacrilege accused would conveniently claim mental imbalance and walk free. He said that era is over forever and Anyone found guilty of desecration will face life imprisonment adding that even those sheltering or protecting such culprits will not be spared and can face imprisonment along with penalties up to Rs 50 lakh. Describing sacrilege incidents as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to disturb peace, brotherhood and communal harmony in Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann said the law would serve as a historic deterrent and ensure that no one dares to repeat such crimes in future.