AAP questions Sukhbir Badal’s silence on Anti-Sacrilege law as Punjab enacts strict legislation
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 20, 2026: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday targeted Shiromani Akali Dal leadership, questioning the silence of its president Sukhbir Singh Badal over the newly enacted Jaagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Bill, 2026, which introduces stringent penalties for acts of sacrilege.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said the lack of response from the Akali leadership raises “serious political questions,” especially after the state government fulfilled its commitment by bringing a strict law to prevent sacrilege incidents.
Pannu stated that while opposition parties had earlier dismissed the move as political rhetoric, their silence following the law’s passage is “politically telling.” He added that the law was introduced during a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13 and passed unanimously after a day-long discussion focused on protecting the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib.
The legislation has since received prompt approval from the Governor and has been officially notified, making it fully operational in Punjab. Highlighting its provisions, Pannu said the law includes strict punishments, including life imprisonment and fines of up to ₹25 lakh, aimed at ensuring deterrence against sacrilege incidents.
Taking aim at previous governments, Pannu alleged that both the Akali-BJP alliance and the Congress, including the tenure of Amarinder Singh, failed to enact effective legislation despite introducing Bills. He accused earlier regimes of allowing the issue to persist for political gains.
Referring to past incidents, including the 2015 sacrilege cases, Pannu claimed that authorities at the time failed to take decisive action despite repeated provocations. He also criticised the handling of inquiry reports such as the Justice Zora Singh and Justice Ranjit Singh commissions, alleging that their findings were not taken seriously.
The AAP leader further questioned the silence of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), noting that its president had not issued any official statement following the law’s enactment. He also pointed out that the lone Akali Dal MLA did not attend the Assembly session where the Bill was passed.
Pannu credited the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, for swiftly moving the legislation from introduction to implementation within days, calling it a reflection of strong political will.
Concluding, he said the developments would be recorded in history, questioning who stood for protecting religious sanctity and who chose silence at a crucial moment.