Sukhbir Badal seeks disqualification of Atishi, demands FIR for alleged blasphemous remarks
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 17, 2026: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday urged Delhi Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vijender Gupta to disqualify Leader of Opposition Atishi as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, alleging that she made blasphemous remarks against the Sikh Guru Sahiban.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker, Badal said he was deeply anguished by Atishi’s conduct, both in his capacity as SAD president and as a devout Sikh.
He stated that from a legislative standpoint, her remarks amounted to a grave breach of privilege and contempt of the House, constituting conduct unbecoming of a legislator.
He asserted that a member who publicly insults the faith, Guru Sahiban and religious sentiments of the minority Sikh community forfeits both moral legitimacy and the constitutional right to remain a lawmaker.
The SAD president alleged that Atishi’s remarks amounted to religious blasphemy (beadbi) under Sikh religious doctrine and were deliberately made to hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.
In this context, he urged the Speaker to recommend registration of an FIR against her under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code for hurting religious sentiments and Section 153A IPC for promoting enmity and disharmony between communities.
Badal warned that such statements pose a serious threat to the hard-earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in Punjab and across the country.
He informed the Speaker that the issue has evoked serious concern within Panthic institutions, including the supreme religio-temporal authority of the Sikhs, Shri Akal Takht Sahib, and that Sikhs across the world were closely watching the developments.
In his communication, Badal emphasised that the Sikh Guru Sahiban embody the eternal spiritual sovereignty of Akal Purakh and represent the collective allegiance of the Khalsa Panth to the principles of cosmic truth and universal brotherhood, transcending caste, creed, religion, language and region.
He added that the Khalsa Panth derives its divine inspiration and authority from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal living embodiment of the Guru Sahiban.
Urging the Speaker to take decisive action, Badal said such a step would set a strong example for future generations and reaffirm India’s commitment to respecting all faiths, particularly minority communities.