ISLAMABAD: Indian activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been continuing his protest atop a mobile tower in Samana (Indian Punjab), where he has been stationed since Oct. 12, 2024, demanding the implementation of an anti-sacrilege law in Punjab, according to Indian media.
The protest has come under media spotlight as the Legislative Assembly (Punjab Vidhan Sabha) prepares to deliberate on the proposed anti-sacrilege law, Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The bill seeks to introduce strict penalties for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, including imprisonment ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life, along with hefty fines and potential confiscation of property.
Call for implementation of law
Indian media outlet quoted the activist as saying, he would continue his protest atop the tower until the anti-sacrilege law is implemented.
“I have full faith in my Guru. Even last month, when Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, along with MLAs Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Chetan Singh Jouramajra, visited the protest site to persuade me to end the protest, I had made it clear that the Assembly and the Bill have no value until the government ensures the law is implemented,” he said.
Although the speaker had assured him that he would return with the draft of the bill after the Assembly session, Khalsa rejected the assurances.
“I am neither a politician nor a leader. My fight is against religious bias and for a stricter law against sacrilege,” he said. “I am ready to continue this protest for days, months, or even years. I am in no hurry and remain in charhdi kala (high spirits),” he added.
The proposed bill also seeks to impose fines ranging from 0.5 million INR to 2.5 million INR on those found guilty of sacrilegious acts, along with provisions for confiscation of property of the accused.
It broadens the definition of desecration to include spoken or written words, signs, or any visible representation, including electronic content, that hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs.
