Won’t relent until anti-sacrilege law implemented: Protester atop tower

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill-2026, proposing stringent punishments, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh, for acts of beadbi (sacrilege) against the Guru Granth Sahib.

Despite the Punjab assembly passing the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, who has been atop a mobile tower in Samana for 1.5 years, on Monday said he won’t relent until the governor gives assent and the law is implemented in the state.

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann addresses the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Special session in Chandigarh on Monday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Khalsa said he appreciated the government for passing such a Bill “with sincerity”. Addressing the gathering through phone, Khalsa said, “This is a first step towards victory. I am thankful to the chief minister, assembly speaker and the MLAs. But I will not come down until it is implemented.”

He appealed to the CM and the MLAs to ensure that the governor signs the Bill at the earliest.

Khalsa (43), who has been perched atop a nearly 400-foot BSNL tower in Samana since October 2024, has been demanding a strict legal framework to ensure exemplary punishment for those involved in sacrilege (beadbi) cases. His protest has been backed by the Dharam Yudh Morcha. Gurpreet Singh, convener of the Dharam Yudh Morcha, said the agitation in Samana would continue until the governor gives assent.