Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday made it clear that the state government will not roll back the anti-sacrilege legislation under any circumstances, a day after the Akal Takht issued a 15-day ultimatum seeking its withdrawal.
Addressing reporters, Mann asserted that the law has already come into force after receiving the Governor’s approval and there is no question of reversing the decision. He said the legislation was enacted to ensure strict punishment in cases involving desecration and to safeguard religious sentiments across the state.
“The Act has completed all legal formalities and is now in effect. There will be no withdrawal at any cost,” the Chief Minister said, underlining the government’s firm stand on the issue.
Launching a sharp political attack on the Badal family, Mann alleged that they were attempting to influence religious institutions for political purposes. He accused them of creating what he described as a “parallel panth” for personal interests and using the Akal Takht to issue politically motivated statements.
The Chief Minister claimed his government introduced the law with the sole aim of preventing incidents of sacrilege and ensuring that those responsible face strict legal consequences. He added that protecting religious harmony and maintaining peace in Punjab remained the administration’s priority.
The row intensified after the Akal Takht’s Jathedar raised objections to certain provisions of the law and asked the state government to reconsider its position within 15 days. However, Mann’s latest statement signals that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government is unlikely to yield to the pressure.
The issue has once again brought sacrilege politics to the centre of Punjab’s political discourse, with the government and opposition parties trading accusations over their handling of such sensitive matters.
