Chandigarh, Jan 14: The Punjab government has located 169 missing “saroops” of the Guru Granth Sahib following a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced on Wednesday. Speaking at the Aam Aadmi Party’s Maghi Mela rally, the Chief Minister noted that the holy scriptures were discovered at a religious site near Banga.
The investigation revealed a significant lack of documentation regarding the custody of these saroops. According to the Chief Minister, records existed for only 30 of the recovered copies, leaving the vast majority unaccounted for by any official body.
“The SIT found 169 missing ‘saroops’ from a religious place near Banga, with records existing for only 30,” Mann said during his address. “No agency, neither SGPC nor those who managed them, had proper documentation.”
The state government intends to transfer the recovered saroops to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for formal installation. Mann framed the recovery as a fulfillment of administrative responsibility rather than a political milestone.
“This isn’t an achievement we’re claiming credit for – it’s our duty,” the Chief Minister said.
The announcement followed Mann’s visit to the historic gurdwara, where he paid tribute to the 40 “muktas” (the liberated ones). He observed that the massive turnout at the Maghi gathering reflected a deep spiritual connection rather than mere political interest.
“People have gathered here not just to listen to politics but to bow to Guru Sahib,” Mann said.
The rally served as a platform for both religious updates and policy previews. Mann took the opportunity to announce a forthcoming Rs 1,000 monthly honorarium for women, which is expected to be included in the next state budget. He also mentioned existing government initiatives, such as job creation and stable power supply, alongside a planned Rs 10 lakh insurance scheme.
“This is not an achievement but our duty,” the Chief Minister said regarding the recovery. “Publishing of saroops is the responsibility of SGPC and such institutions failed in their duty due to the Akalis.”
The rally served as a platform to list various governance milestones, including the recruitment of 63,000 youths based on merit and the closure of 19 toll plazas, which Mann said saves the public ₹64 lakh daily. He further mentioned that 90 percent of Punjab households now receive free electricity and that a new health insurance scheme, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, will soon provide up to ₹10 lakh in cashless treatment.
“Every file signed by me is aimed at benefiting the common man and the state,” Mann said. “Every decision taken by our government is focused on the progress of Punjab and the prosperity of its people.”
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia also addressed the gathering, stating that the massive participation indicated that the public is prepared to give the Mann-led government another term. Several cabinet ministers and MLAs were present on the stage to support the announcements.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also launched a scathing attack on opposition leaders during the Maghi Mela political conference, stating that the public has decided to move past “opportunist” politicians. Mann noted that the massive turnout at the AAP rally, which reportedly included people originally brought in by Akali Dal buses, signaled a shift in Punjab’s political loyalty.
The Chief Minister said that the “jhaadu” (broom) symbol had successfully sanitized the state’s political landscape. He claimed that traditional parties are struggling to accept a leader from a common background who has prioritized public welfare over political gain.
“The ‘jhaadu’, which is the symbol of AAP, has cleaned the political system, and that is why traditional parties are baffled,” Mann said. “I will leave no stone unturned to safeguard the interests of Punjab and Punjabis at any cost.”
Mann specifically targeted the Shiromani Akali Dal for their handling of sacrilege incidents at Bargari and Behbal Kalan. He noted that exploiting religion for political interests was an “unpardonable sin” that has deeply affected the state’s psyche.
Regarding infrastructure and public safety, the Chief Minister said that 10,000 new police personnel are being recruited and 49,000 km of roadwork is currently underway. He also shared that agricultural water has finally reached the “tail-end” villages for the first time in decades, a task he said previous leaders never prioritized.
“Those who do not know the result of 12 multiplied by 5 are daydreaming of coming to power,” he remarked, taking a dig at his political rivals.
The event featured a strong show of strength from the AAP leadership, with Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia praising the establishment of 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics. Sisodia noted that the work done in Punjab has gained national attention and strengthened the party’s position ahead of future contests.
“The massive participation in this rally clearly shows that people have made up their mind to give another chance to the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government,” Sisodia said.
The gathering also paid homage to the martyrdom of Bhai Maha Singh ji and the 40 Muktas. Mann said the history of the land continues to inspire people to stand against tyranny and injustice.
