Over 600 sacrilege cases in Punjab in 10 years, alleges Harsimrat Badal
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Badal has claimed that Punjab has witnessed over 600 incidents of sacrilege in the past ten years, holding both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress responsible for what she called a failure to protect religious sanctity.
Speaking to reporters, Badal said the repeated desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts reflects a serious breakdown in law and order. She accused the current AAP government and the previous Congress administration of ignoring the issue and failing to deliver justice to the victims and their families.
Sacrilege incidents have long been a deeply sensitive issue in Punjab, with many communities expressing outrage over the mishandling of such cases. The most prominent among these was the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case, which led to widespread protests and a demand for a special investigation team. The subsequent police action at Kotkapura, where protesters were allegedly fired upon, added to the controversy. The Supreme Court later ordered a probe into both incidents.
While the SAD was in power during the Bargari incident, Harsimrat Badal's remarks have drawn attention because her party has also faced criticism for its handling of the matter. Political observers note that sacrilege has become a recurring election issue in the state, with parties often trading blame.
In her statement, Badal did not provide a detailed list of the alleged 600 incidents, but she urged the state government to take the matter seriously and ensure transparent investigations. She also called for a comprehensive policy to prevent further desecration of religious texts.
The AAP government in Punjab is yet to respond formally to her allegations. Meanwhile, the Congress party has dismissed her claims as politically motivated, pointing out that the SAD itself ruled the state for over a decade and could not end sacrilege.
This exchange comes amid rising concerns about communal harmony and the need for efficient grievance redressal mechanisms. Religious leaders have appealed to all political parties to refrain from exploiting the issue for electoral gain and to focus on ensuring security and justice.
The Punjab Police have said they are alert and have taken steps to protect religious places, but experts argue that a larger effort, including community outreach and fast-track courts, is necessary to address the underlying tensions.
As the political debate intensifies, the people of Punjab await concrete action rather than further political mudslinging. The demand for a thorough and unbiased investigation into all sacrilege cases remains a key concern for the public.
