AAP Leaders Responsible for 2015 Sacrilege Incidents, Says SAD; Demands Dismissal of Ministers Harpal Cheema, Harjot Bains
Chandigarh, July 17, 2025 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday levelled serious allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing its leaders of being involved in the 2015 sacrilege incidents in Punjab. SAD vice president Parambans Singh Romana demanded an independent probe into the matter and called for the immediate dismissal of Punjab cabinet ministers Harpal Cheema and Harjot Bains for allegedly defending a legislator convicted of sacrilege.
Addressing a press conference here, Romana claimed that cases of sacrilege in Punjab began after AAP’s entry into the state. He alleged that AAP MLA Naresh Yadav, who was convicted in a 2016 sacrilege case involving the desecration of the Koran Sharif in Malerkotla, had received legal and political backing from Harpal Cheema and Harjot Bains, both of whom defended him in court.
Romana demanded their removal from the Cabinet under the provisions of the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, and called for criminal proceedings against them. He also sought action against AAP leader Sandeep Pathak for recommending Yadav’s ticket from Mehrauli after his conviction, and against party convenor Arvind Kejriwal for endorsing the decision.
Detailing the Malerkotla case, Romana said that Naresh Yadav was arrested a month after the incident based on evidence including financial transactions worth ₹90 lakh and 13 phone calls to the accused. He added that despite alleged pressure to withdraw the complaint, a sessions court had convicted Yadav.
Romana accused both AAP and the Congress of politicizing the sensitive issue of sacrilege. He drew parallels between the current government's formation of a consultative committee and the Congress-led government’s 2018 special Vidhan Sabha session on the same issue, saying both were attempts to use the issue for political mileage.
Referring to Congress leader Pargat Singh’s remarks in the Assembly about internal factions in the party aiming to exploit the sacrilege issue or frame SAD leaders, Romana urged Singh to reveal the names of those involved.
Romana also criticized Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa’s recent remarks on avoiding use of live ammunition on protestors, questioning the Congress’s role in the 1984 Sri Harmandir Sahib attack and the firing that resulted in casualties and damage to sacred scriptures.
He further accused the Congress of backing protests led by Baljit Singh Daduwal in Bargari and of derailing the investigation by withdrawing the case from the CBI, which had been entrusted with the probe by then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
SAD leader Zahida Suleman also addressed the media and condemned AAP’s silence on the Malerkotla incident. She criticized the party for fielding Naresh Yadav again from Mehrauli, saying his candidature was only reconsidered after strong objections from Delhi’s Muslim community. She demanded the resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, accusing him of shielding and supporting Yadav.