Strict Law Against Sacrilege is a Historic Step; Culprits Now Face Life Imprisonment: Bhagwant Mann
Faridkot/Kotkapura, May 7 (Alexander D’Souza):
Today, a new chapter in history was written on the soil of Faridkot—a land that bore witness to the unfortunate incidents of sacrilege in 2016 and the Behbal Kalan-Kotkapura firing tragedy. The massive crowds that thronged Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s ‘Shukrana Yatra’ (Journey of Gratitude) made it abundantly clear that the people of Punjab stand firmly in favor of justice and change. During this event—organized to celebrate the passing of strict legislation against sacrilege in the Legislative Assembly—the Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on the Akalis. “For those who insult the Guru Sahib, the only place now is jail.” Addressing the public gathering in the presence of Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, the Chief Minister stated that previous governments had extended political patronage to the culprits, but now, justice shall prevail. He hailed the ‘Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sataar (Respect) Amendment Act, 2026’ as a monumental victory for the sentiments of the Sikh community.
Key Provisions of the New Law: Criminals Can No Longer Evade Justice. The Chief Minister clarified that the new amendments have effectively sealed all “backdoors” through which criminals previously managed to escape prosecution:
Provision for Life Imprisonment: For the heinous crime of sacrilege, the new law now mandates the stringent punishment of life imprisonment for those found guilty. **Custodian’s Accountability:** If such an incident occurs at any religious site, legal action will also be initiated against the responsible manager (custodian) of that site. **No More Excuses:** Mann stated that offenders will no longer be able to evade justice by using the excuse of having a “disturbed mental state.” **Report Card on Public Welfare Schemes:** During the *Shukrana Yatra* (Gratitude Journey), the Chief Minister shared an account of his government’s achievements through a tabular summary. **Scheme / Sector | Key Benefits:** **Maa-Beti Satkar Yojana:** Monthly assistance ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 for women (Budget: ₹9,300 crore). **Health (Sehat Yojana):** Free medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for 65 lakh families. **Canal Water Irrigation:** Capacity increased from 21% to 68% (Target: 85%). **Employment:** Government jobs provided to over 65,000 youths without the need for bribes. **Electricity:** Electricity bills for 90% of households in the state are now zero. **The Chief Minister’s Message:** “Previous governments lacked the political will, which is why the guilty could not be punished. However, our government has made the laws so stringent that, in the future, no one will dare to commit such a sin,” stated Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab. The Chief Minister appealed to the public to visit villages and spread awareness regarding these new laws—specifically the anti-sacrifice law and the anti-sacrilege law. He emphasized that public awareness alone would instill the fear of the law in the minds of anti-social elements. Present on this occasion were several senior leaders from the region, administrative officials, and a large gathering of the *Sangat* (congregation).
News: 7-4
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