Bathinda, June 25: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that Sri Akal Takht Sahib holds supreme authority for every Punjabi and Sikh, while cautioning that certain elements are attempting to exploit the revered institution for personal gains. Speaking at a massive Lok Milni gathering at the historic Mandi Kalan village in Maur constituency, the Chief Minister urged for immediate elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to restore proper governance to religious bodies.
The Chief Minister maintained that the state can no longer allow its sacred institutions to remain under the control of those who leverage faith for political advantages. He noted that a formal request has already been sent to the Central Government regarding the long-overdue SGPC elections, which have been pending for 14 years.
“Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is considered the highest temporal seat of the community,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated. “It is a highly revered place from where every Sikh derives divine peace and power. However, some wrong elements have taken control of this sacred institution and are taking decisions without realising that it is our sacred place. I bowed before Sri Akal Takht Sahib because it is supreme for every Punjabi in general and Sikhs in particular. However, some people are trying to misuse it for their vested interests.”
Turning to legislative actions taken to protect religious sentiments, the Chief Minister affirmed that his administration successfully enacted the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026. This law introduces stringent legal consequences, including life imprisonment and heavy financial penalties, for any acts of desecration.
“The Almighty bestowed upon me the opportunity to serve humanity by enacting the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, which provides stringent punishment for sacrilege,” the Chief Minister declared. “Under this law, anyone attempting desecration can face imprisonment ranging from ten years to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50 lakh.”
Beyond religious and governance reforms, the Chief Minister outlined several major welfare and developmental milestones achieved by the current administration. He spoke on the upcoming launch of the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna to financially empower women, extensive upgrades to the canal irrigation network which now utilizes over 80 percent of its capacity, and Punjab securing the top position in primary and middle-school education nationwide according to recent NITI Aayog data. He concluded by announcing a development grant of ₹50 lakh for Mandi Kalan, alongside plans for a new library and the renovation of a local historical Dharamshala.
