Punjab AAP MLA accuses BJP-Akali govt of failing to protect sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib

Punjab MLA Raises Fresh Questions Over Beadbi Cases and Police Firing

Indiadailyupdate.com – Punjab Aam Aadmi Party MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura has renewed demands for accountability in the cases concerning the theft and desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as well as the police action against protesters in 2015. He alleged that the BJP-Akali government then in power did not adequately safeguard the sanctity of the Sikh holy scripture and failed to respond effectively as incidents unfolded.

Giaspura said the cases still pending before courts should be pursued promptly so responsibility can be fixed for every stage of the episode. His remarks focused on the sequence of events in 2015, including the theft reported on June 1, the appearance of posters several months later, the recovery of torn Angs in October, and the subsequent protests at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan.

Questions Over the Theft Investigation

The MLA challenged former Punjab home minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s position that he had not known about the June 1 theft. Giaspura said an Intelligence Wing report had been circulated and told investigators, the Special Investigation Team, had received information from Badal’s personal secretary.

He argued that the authorities should have acted with greater urgency after posters surfaced in September 2015 calling for the return of the stolen Guru Granth Sahib. The situation escalated the following month when Angs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were found scattered, causing deep pain and anger among Sikh devotees.

For Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not simply a religious text but is revered as the eternal Guru. Allegations of beadbi, or sacrilege, therefore carry profound emotional and religious significance. The handling of such incidents can also become a major test of public confidence in the state’s institutions, especially when communities seek swift answers and respectful action.

Demand for Clarity on Police Action

Giaspura also called on the SIT to establish who directed action against demonstrators and who bore responsibility for the deaths of Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit Singh. He said people had assembled peacefully at Kotkapura for ardas and kirtan before police used water cannons and later opened fire.

The Kotkapura case chargesheet names Sukhbir Singh Badal, former police officers Charanjit Sharma, Paramraj Singh Umranangal and Sumedh Singh Saini. All four are on bail. The chargesheet is a key part of the ongoing judicial process, but the allegations contained in it remain subject to court proceedings and final legal determination.

On the Behbal Kalan matter, Giaspura referred to documents connected with Badal’s bail proceedings and said they pointed to his presence in Punjab at the relevant time. He maintained that investigators should continue examining the available material to ensure that the questions raised by the families of victims and the wider Sikh community receive a clear legal response.

Political Allegations and Legal Accountability

Giaspura alleged that a possible BJP-Akali alliance was intended to create political protection for those facing scrutiny in the beadbi and firing cases. He further claimed that such an alignment could be linked to efforts to bring back the three farm laws.

These are political allegations made by the AAP legislator. The beadbi and firing cases, meanwhile, remain matters for investigation and the courts. Political debate over them has continued because the incidents involve both questions of religious respect and allegations concerning the use of force against protesters.

The MLA said the Bhagwant Mann government had introduced stricter provisions relating to beadbi. He described the measures as providing life imprisonment and no bail for those found guilty. Giaspura said the government’s position was that offences involving the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji must be treated with the utmost seriousness.

A Continuing Issue for Punjab

The demand for accountability has remained central to public discussion in Punjab because the 2015 incidents brought together concerns over faith, policing, investigation and governance. Families of those who died, religious groups and political parties have continued to seek resolution through legal and institutional channels.

Giaspura said the state government was committed to ensuring that those responsible are held answerable. His statement places renewed emphasis on the need for the pending cases to move forward without unnecessary delay, while preserving the legal rights of all those involved.

For many residents, the eventual outcome will matter not only as a matter of criminal justice but also as an indication of whether institutions can respond credibly when an incident touches the deepest religious sentiments of the community. The court process will determine culpability, but the call for transparent and timely accountability is likely to remain an important issue in Punjab’s political and public life.