Renewing his pledge to deal firmly with incidents of ‘beadbi’ (beadbi) and protect Punjab’s communal harmony, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday thanked the people of Punjab for showering immense love and affection during the four-day-long ‘Shukrana Yatra’, which culminated at the sacred land of Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.
Addressing a massive gathering after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the holy land of Fatehgarh Sahib inspires Punjabis to fight oppression, injustice and tyranny. He noted that the yatra began from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib at Sri Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa was created. On the second day, the yatra paid obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib, followed by Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and Gurdwara Mastuana Sahib on the third day. He added that after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Dukh Niwaran Sahib and Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, the spiritually enriching yatra had now concluded.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the overwhelming affection shown by people during the yatra had filled the government with even greater humility, responsibility towards the aspirations of the people and accountability to their commands. He said, “Punjabis are extremely happy over his Government enacting the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026’, which stipulates stringent punishment for beadbi.”
Urging people to go village to village and make the masses aware about the law, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said anyone found indulging in this heinous crime would now be dealt with sternly and punished severely. He said previous governments neither had the intent nor the will to enact a law to stop beadbi due to which desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji became a recurring feature during their regimes. “Now this historic Act passed by the Punjab Government will put an end to this unpardonable offence because no one will dare indulge in such acts again,” he asserted.
Launching a sharp attack on the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said they ordered firing on innocent people who had gathered to protest against beadbi incidents across Punjab. He remarked that the Akalis should be booked for the “genocide of generations” because the drug trade was patronised under their rule and flourished during their long misrule. He said, “The hands of those leaders are drenched in the blood of lakhs of youth who fell prey to drugs that were supplied in the state even through official vehicles.”
“These sins are unpardonable and Punjabis will never forgive them for their long saga of misdeeds,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, adding that the Akali leadership bruised the psyche of Punjabis emotionally through incidents of beadbi despite repeatedly seeking votes in the name of Gurbani.
Referring to the former Deputy Chief Minister’s claims about development during the Akali regime, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said they conveniently ignored the painful legacy of Kotakpura, Behbal Kalan and other beadbi incidents where innocent people lost their lives. He said Akali leaders mercilessly looted Punjab and committed numerous atrocities against common people during their tyrannical rule.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Akalis patronised mafias in Punjab and ruined generations through drugs and corruption. Taking a jibe at Sukhbir Badal, he said, “The Akalis have completely lost their connect with the masses and now relied on paid workers to create crowds in rallies. In every Akali rally, the same crowd can be seen. He added that those who once claimed they would rule Punjab for 25 years had now been politically rejected by the wise and courageous people of the state.
Coming down heavily on the Akali leadership, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said these opportunist leaders changed colours like a chameleon according to their convenience and political interests. He pointed out that those responsible for beadbi had once appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and admitted their mistakes publicly, but later took a complete U-turn when it no longer suited their political ambitions. “Punjab knows the real face of these leaders who repeatedly misled the people through political gimmicks,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the same people who were once considered invincible today cannot even find five members to constitute a committee for their own party. He reminded Punjabis that these leaders patronised gangsters and shielded drug smugglers who poisoned Punjab’s youth. “People trusted them repeatedly, but they backstabbed Punjab and its people every single time,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Akalis misused religion for vested political interests and therefore could never be forgiven by the people. He stated, “The AAP Government is fortunate to receive the responsibility of enacting this historic legislation, which would permanently curb beadbi incidents in the future.” He described beadbi as a deep-rooted conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in Punjab.
The Chief Minister said the law clearly stipulates exemplary punishment for anyone found guilty of beadbi and expressed confidence that it would act as a powerful deterrent in the future. “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our sacred duty to ensure its sanctity,” he stated, adding that Sikhs across the globe were expressing happiness and gratitude over the enactment of this historic law.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the sole purpose of the ‘Shukrana Yatra’ was to thank the Almighty for blessing the government with the courage and strength to enact this important legislation. Thanking people who gathered in huge numbers despite intense heat, he remarked that unlike leaders who step out of their homes only after checking the temperature, he always remains amongst the people for their welfare.
Referring to opposition against the law, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is unfortunate that even now some people continue opposing the legislation. Both the Akali Dal and Congress had approached the High Court seeking cancellation of the law. However, he said the High Court not only dismissed the petition but also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on them and ‘showed them the door’.” He remarked that those opposing the law feared they themselves could be exposed for their involvement in beadbi incidents.
The Chief Minister said Punjabis had trusted these parties in the name of Baba Nanak, but instead they disrespected Gurbani by throwing sacred scriptures onto streets and garbage heaps. He said bullets were fired on peaceful congregations and Sikhs were martyred, yet excuses were made that police could not identify who had fired the shots. “Even after all this, they continue roaming shamelessly amongst the people,” he added.
Taking another jibe at Sukhbir Badal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said he still walks around proudly saying “let my turn come,” but forgets that he already got five turns in power and Punjabis witnessed all his misdeeds. “Now if any turn comes, it will be his turn to go to jail because Punjabis want justice for the grave injustices committed against them,” he asserted.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I’m indebted to the people because millions of devotees had prayed for such a law to be enacted. The public response, affection and enthusiasm during the yatra showed that old wounds were finally beginning to heal and Punjabis were feeling peace in their hearts again.”
However, he said some individuals are still opposing the law because they themselves were somewhere involved in these acts. “Anyone opposing this law will effectively be seen as opposing the Guru because such people do not truly love the Guru and there is dishonesty in their hearts,” he stated.
The Chief Minister made it clear that there was absolutely no question of withdrawing the law because all rules and regulations had been framed clause by clause after consultations with Sant Samaj, eminent Sikh lawyers and retired judges across the country. He thanked the sangat for honouring him throughout the yatra and said many people waited for hours due to delays caused by massive crowds along the route.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said people continued standing in intense heat till late at night, for which he remained deeply grateful. Referring to ED actions in Punjab, he pointed out that the BJP does not love Punjab and instead harbours resentment against the state because it was forced to withdraw the farm laws. “PM Modi had taken the setback personally, which was why such actions were now taking place,” he added.
The Chief Minister said Punjab had repeatedly faced injustice from the Centre on issues including Panjab University, Chandigarh, BBMB, SYL, Harike canal, Republic Day tableaux, RDF funds and border area grants. Despite this discrimination, he noted, Punjab continued feeding the nation and this year too would contribute more wheat than expected to the central pool.
Drawing a historical comparison, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann remarked that just as King Porus once stopped Alexander’s advance at Punjab, Punjabis would also stop the BJP’s so-called “victory chariot” if injustice, oppression and tyranny against Punjab continued.
“Every seed can grow in Punjab except the seed of hatred,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann declared, warning the BJP against attempts to spread division in the state. He said, “Creating rifts, riots, violence and firing have become the BJP’s political culture, but Punjab would never allow such tactics of polarisation and communal imbalance to succeed because Punjabis understood the party’s real character.”
The Chief Minister further remarked that some people claim the ISI is trying to disturb Punjab’s atmosphere, but quipped that “the BJP itself is behaving like the ISI.” He said whether it was Haryana, Manipur, Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar or even Gujarat earlier, the BJP’s record remained the same. “They instigate communal tensions, fan riots and then play Holi with people’s blood,” he said, adding that such politics would never work in Punjab because the state had already suffered enough dark days and painful nights.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, with obeisance at the sacred land of martyrs, Fatehgarh Sahib, our four-day ‘Shukrana Yatra’ concluded. Beginning from Sri Anandpur Sahib and passing through various holy sites, we expressed gratitude to the Almighty who gave us the strength to enact a strict law against beadbi. Heartfelt thanks to the sangat for standing with us despite the extreme heat.”
The Chief Minister noted, “The ‘Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act 2026’ has now received the assent of the Governor. Framed after consultations with Sikh scholars and legal experts, this stringent law will ensure that no guilty person can escape punishment. Rumours about the law being withdrawn are completely false. Those opposing it are, in reality, acting against the Guru Sahib.”
“The Centre continues to wrong Punjab on issues like Chandigarh, SYL, BBMB and our tableaux, while weakening democracy through agencies like the ED and CBI. But remember this: every seed may grow on the soil of Punjab, except the seed of hatred. “Your Lok Sewak” will always stand firmly to protect Punjab’s pride, rights and dignity,” the post concluded.
In another post, from his visit to Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, during the ‘Shukrana Yatra’, I was blessed with the opportunity to bow my head on the sacred land of Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, which stands witness to one of the greatest sacrifices in the history of the world. It is the very place where Mata Gujri Ji, while sitting in the Thanda Burj, gave strength to her beloved Sahibzadas, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, to remain steadfast on the path of truth.”
He further stated, “Those young Sahibzadas accepted being bricked alive into the walls, but refused to bow before tyranny. Inspired by that unparalleled legacy, our government has enacted a strict law in Punjab to eradicate the evil of beadbi from its roots.”
“On the land where the Sahibzadas sacrificed themselves to protect faith and righteousness, forgiving those who disrespect Guru Sahib would be the greatest sin. We have brought such a strong law that no one will dare cast an evil eye on Punjab’s communal harmony or on any religious scripture,” the post concluded.
Massive public response marks ‘Shukrana Yatra’ across Punjab
Meanwhile, during the four-day-long ‘Shukrana Yatra’, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann travelled across almost the entire state and received an overwhelming response from people at every stop. Throughout the yatra, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann was warmly welcomed by the sangat and residents, garlanded at various places, honoured with siropas and showered with flower petals as thousands gathered on roadsides to greet him with immense enthusiasm and devotion.
The yatra began from Sri Anandpur Sahib and passed through Bharatgarh, Ropar, Balachaur, Banga and Phagwara on the first day. On the second day, the yatra travelled from Jalandhar through Adampur, Kartarpur, Baba Bakala, Raiyya, Jandiala, Amritsar South, East and Central, Patti, Zira, Ferozepur Rural, Faridkot and Kotkapura before reaching Bathinda via Bhucho Mandi. The third day covered Bathinda, Kotshamir, Talwandi Sabo, Sardulgarh, Mansa and Barnala before concluding at Gurdwara Mastuana Sahib. On Saturday, the yatra moved from Sangrur to Samana, Gurdwara Sri Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Patiala Rural and culminated at Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.
