Patiala: Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Sunday met protestors at the ongoing Samana tower protest and announced that the state govt would introduce a stronger anti-sacrilege law by amending the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008. Protest leader Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, however, said the agitation would continue until the law is passed.Addressing a gathering at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Chowk, Sandhwan said the assembly would convene a special session on April 13, coinciding with Baisakhi, to pass the amendments. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had announced the special session on Saturday.In Samana, Sandhwan added he would present the draft of the proposed law to the Samana Morcha on April 14 and personally hand it over to Khalsa, who has been protesting atop a tower since Oct 2024.The speaker said the govt is committed to incorporating stringent provisions in the amended law, including strict punishment, heavy fines, confiscation of property and provisions to address offences committed through digital platforms. He said the draft is being prepared in consultation with the Sant Samaj and legal experts.Sandhwan also referred to a recent meeting between chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and representatives of the Sant Samaj, stating that the government is treating the legislation as a priority. He thanked Sant Seva Singh of Rampur Khera for supporting the move.Reaffirming the government’s stance, Sandhwan said there would be no leniency towards those found guilty of sacrilege, adding that the present dispensation believes in action rather than promises.The announcement drew a positive response from the gathering, with slogans raised in support.Earlier, Sandhwan and a delegation of MLAs, including Baltej Pannu, Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Gurlal Ghanour, Narinder Kaur Bharaj, Gurdev Singh Dev Mann and Kulwant Singh Bazigar, held discussions with morcha leaders.Speaking over the phone from atop the tower, Bhai Gurjeet Singh Khalsa said he would end the protest only after the law is enacted.Baltej Pannu and Inderbir Singh Nijjar said no one involved in sacrilege would be spared and that expert legal opinion from across the country would be incorporated to make the law more effective.They also urged Khalsa to end his protest and participate in the special assembly session.
