Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday asserted that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is supreme for every Punjabi and Sikh, but some people are attempting to misuse this revered institution for their vested interests. Calling for immediate elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Chief Minister said that Punjab can no longer afford to let religious institutions remain under the grip of those who exploited faith for political gains and patronised mafias that pushed the state into decline.
During a massive Lok Milni at historic village Mandi Kalan in Maur constituency, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while his government has enacted the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026 to ensure the harshest punishment for sacrilege, it is simultaneously empowering women through the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, strengthening farmers through expanded canal irrigation and daytime power supply, and transforming education to make Punjab the number one state in the country in school education. He also announced a grant of ₹50 lakh for village development, the opening of a new library and the renovation of a 55-year-old Dharamshala in the village.
The Chief Minister spoke on a wide range of issues including the sanctity of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the role of the SGPC, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, welfare initiatives, education reforms, irrigation infrastructure, healthcare and the overall development of Punjab.
Addressing the Lok Milni, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is considered the highest temporal seat of the community. It is a highly revered place from where every Sikh derives divine peace and power. However, some wrong elements have taken control of this sacred institution and are taking decisions without realising that it is our sacred place. I bowed before Sri Akal Takht Sahib because it is supreme for every Punjabi in general and Sikhs in particular. However, some people are trying to misuse it for their vested interests.”
The Chief Minister noted, “I have written to the Government of India that it has been 14 years since elections were held for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The organisation is in dire straits today.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The money distributed by Sukhbir Singh Badal during floods was not his hard-earned money. It was the money offered by devotees at Gurdwaras. The poorest of the poor contribute something to Gurdwara Sahib even while performing the last rites of a parent. However, Sukhbir Singh Badal did not even arrange langar during his father’s funeral and instead brought it from Sri Muktsar Sahib.”
“The Badal family usurped everything in Punjab by patronising land, sand, ‘Chitta’, transport and other mafias. They ruined the state and caused immense hardship to its people. They misused panth for their vested interests. People voted for them in the name of the Guru Sahiban, but they disrespected Gurbani. There is a long saga of the wrongs committed by the Akalis and the Badal family against Punjab and its people. The masses can never forgive them for these actions,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The Almighty bestowed upon me the opportunity to serve humanity by enacting the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, which provides stringent punishment for sacrilege. Under this law, anyone attempting desecration can face imprisonment ranging from ten years to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50 lakh. If the fine is not paid, the offender’s property can be sold so that future generations remember the consequences of disrespecting Guru Sahib and hurting the sentiments of people.”
“I am confident that this law will act as a strong deterrent and no one will dare indulge in such unfortunate acts in the future. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our collective duty to ensure its sanctity,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He pointed out, “The Akalis misused religion for political gains and people can never forgive them for that. I consider myself fortunate that I have been entrusted with the responsibility of enacting this historic legislation.”
Slamming the opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that traditional political parties are spreading malicious propaganda because they are afraid of being exposed before the people. “These leaders deceived people in the name of religion, caste and hatred for their own political interests. Since assuming office, I have devoted every minute of my life to the welfare of the people and that is why they are upset. All the traditional parties have united against me to stop me from working for the welfare of the people. However, their actions will never deter me from serving Punjab and its people,” he added.
Taking a jibe at the Congress party, he said that every Congress leader wants to become Chief Minister. “In Congress, every leader aspires to become the head of the state. The party has more chief ministerial aspirants than ordinary karyakartas, Congress leaders are daydreaming about returning to power. The party is a divided house and will collapse under the weight of its own infighting. They have no vision for Punjab and are interested only in grabbing power and exploiting the state’s resources. Their dreams will never be fulfilled because people are fully aware of their intentions,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab has witnessed a paradigm shift under the AAP government. “Earlier, traditional parties simply waited for their turn to capture power. Today, the broom is cleaning the mess created by these parties,” he said.
“In the 2022 Assembly elections, seven former Chief Ministers and their families were rejected by the people. Punjab chose an honest government that has worked tirelessly for public welfare. That historic mandate has played a key role in transforming Punjab into a frontrunner state in the country,” he added.