Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu questioned the continued silence of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on the Jaagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Bill, 2026, stating that the lack of response raises serious political questions at a time when Punjab has enacted a strict law to prevent beadbi.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Punjab State General Secretary and Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “While the AAP-led Punjab government has fulfilled its commitment by bringing a strict law to prevent beadbi incidents, those who earlier politicised such sensitive issues are now choosing to remain silent. This silence is politically telling.”

The AAP Punjab General Secretary added, “When the Bhagwant Mann government announced its intention to introduce a stringent law against beadbi, opposition parties dismissed it as political rhetoric. They said, ‘bring the law, then we will see.’ Today, the law has not only been passed but has come into full force, and those very people have gone quiet.”

Baltej Pannu highlighted that the Bill was introduced during a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13 and was passed unanimously after a full-day discussion focused solely on the issue of beadbi of Guru Granth Sahib. “CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had clearly stated that the session was exclusively convened to address this sensitive matter, yet some questioned even the intent behind calling this special session,” he said.

He further stated, “Doubts were repeatedly raised by opposition leaders that the Governor would not approve the Bill or that it would be stalled for Presidential assent. Contrary to all such claims, the Governor signed the Bill promptly, and it has now officially become law. The notification has also been issued, and the law is fully implemented in Punjab.”

Baltej Pannu emphasised that the new law introduces strict punishments for acts of beadbi, stating, “Under this law, stringent provisions have been made, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh, ensuring both punishment and deterrence.”

Taking aim at previous governments, he said, “Both the Akali-BJP regime and the Congress government under Captain Amarinder Singh failed to enact effective legislation on beadbi despite bringing Bills that were never intended to become law. They ensured the issue remained alive for political gains. Some people baked their political rotis on this issue and wanted it to continue.”

Referring to past incidents, he added, “Be it 2015, 1986 in Nakodar, or 1978, everyone knows who was in power and how they failed to take decisive action. During the 2015 beadbi incidents, despite repeated provocations and threats, the then government failed to act effectively. Posters with offensive language appeared for months, yet no concrete action was taken.”

Baltej Pannu also criticised the handling of investigations by previous regimes, stating, “Reports of commissions like the Justice Zora Singh Commission and the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission were neglected. Serious findings were trivialised, and copies were distributed publicly at throwaway prices.”

Highlighting the process behind the law, he said, “The AAP government undertook extensive consultations with legal experts and religious leaders before drafting the Bill. This was not a rushed decision but a well-prepared legal framework aimed at ensuring strict punishment and deterrence.”

Raising further questions, Baltej Pannu said, “Even after the law has been enacted, neither Shiromani Akali Dal nor its leadership has issued any official statement supporting or opposing it. The silence of SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami is equally concerning. The absence of a press interaction after the SGPC meeting reflects political pressure and lack of clarity.”

He further noted, “The lone Akali Dal MLA did not even attend the special Assembly session where the Bill was passed. This will be recorded in history, who stood for protecting the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib and who chose to stay absent.”

Concluding, Baltej Pannu said, “The swift passage of the Bill, from its introduction on April 13 to the Governor’s assent on April 17 and notification by April 20, reflects the strong political will of the AAP government. In just a matter of days, this law has taken full shape and implementation, which in itself is a record. Sukhbir Singh Badal’s silence shows that he is more focused on protecting personal and political interests rather than standing firmly for Punjab and its religious sentiments.”

Reaffirming its commitment to social justice and welfare of underprivileged sections, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is continuously implementing pro-people initiatives for the upliftment of needy families.

In this regard, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, informed that during the tenure of the Mann government, an amount of ₹728.48 crore has been released under the Ashirwad Scheme for Scheduled Castes, benefiting more than 1.43 lakh families across the state.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Ashirwad Scheme has emerged as a strong support system for economically weaker families by reducing the financial burden during the marriage of daughters. She emphasized that the Punjab Government’s objective is not only to provide financial assistance but also to ensure dignity, security and a respectful life for daughters belonging to poor families.

The Minister further informed that families who are permanent residents of Punjab and fall below the poverty line, belonging to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes or Economically Weaker Sections, are eligible to avail benefits under the scheme. She added that financial assistance is provided for the marriage of up to two daughters in a family, bringing significant relief to thousands of needy households.

Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that while the marriage of a daughter is a moment of joy for families, it often brings financial concerns for economically weaker parents. She noted that the Ashirwad Scheme has helped reduce these worries and brought happiness to thousands of households, enabling poor parents to marry off their daughters with dignity, respect and hope for a secure future.

The Minister also directed officials to ensure that benefits under the scheme reach every eligible beneficiary in a timely and transparent manner. She stressed that applications should be processed without delay so that no deserving family is deprived of government assistance.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government remains dedicated to social justice and public welfare and will continue to strengthen people-centric schemes to support poor and needy families. She added that the government’s goal is to bring a smile to every daughter’s face and strengthen every family across Punjab.