Religious Boundaries
Punjab's latest anti-sacrilege law has reopened an old wound, but the debate it has triggered is no longer confined to the punishment of those who desecrate the Guru Granth Sahib.
Punjab's latest anti-sacrilege law has reopened an old wound, but the debate it has triggered is no longer confined to the punishment of those who desecrate the Guru Granth Sahib.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alleged that former Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh violated the Takht's hukamnama, which prohibits using the proceedings of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs in court-related matters.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday demanded an immediate resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stating that the latter had lost all moral authority to continue in the chair after participating in the special Vidhan Sabha session proceedings in an inebriated state.
A senior official’s death has triggered a political storm in Punjab, leading to a minister’s resignation and a government-ordered probe into the allegations surrounding the case.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today appealed to Punjabis to beware of agencies that might introduce a new entrant into the electoral fray in Punjab and even support the new political outfit, in the same manner as certain individuals were propped up during the 2024 parliamentary elections to weaken the SAD ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.
Opposition slams AAP's Punjab government for the decision.
Akali Dal seeks withdrawal of PU decision to drop Punjabi as compulsory subject for graduation.
Prof Ashutosh Kumar, Chairperson, Department of Political Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh, said the Akali Dal at the moment is not ideal for coalition as it is failing to secure a vote for itself.
Congress stronghold, Jalandhar seat fell vacant after Congress' Member of Parliament (MP) Santokh Singh Chaudhary, 76, died of a heart attack during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab this January.
"Badal Saheb's departure is a big loss for the country. He stood like a rock against Emergency to protect democracy," Shah said.
