Latest news with #SarvDharamBeadbiRokoKanoonMorcha
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Interfaith group meets Punjab speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, seeks swift enactment of anti-sacrilege law
Patiala: A delegation of Sarv Dharam Beadbi Roko Kanoon Morcha (interfaith anti-sacrilege law front) met Punjab speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and anti-sacrilege bill select committee chairman Inderbir Singh Nijjar to press for the swift enactment of the legislation against sacrilege of religious scriptures. The delegation, led by morcha coordinator Gurpreet Singh, submitted a detailed account of the 286-day-long protest by Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, who had been staging a solitary protest from atop a 400-foot tower in Samana of Patiala district. Concern was raised over Khalsa's deteriorating health. His mother, Paramjit Kaur, also appealed to the authorities to expedite the law-making process so that her son could return home. Gurpreet claimed to have briefed the speaker and chairman about interfaith conferences held to build a consensus for the proposed law. He assured the committee of cooperation in facilitating meetings with religious leaders of all faiths to ensure inclusive and timely drafting of the legislation. He also suggested launching a public opinion portal to gather feedback on the proposed bill. Additionally, an invitation was extended to both dignitaries to attend the interfaith unity gathering, 'Dharam Ka Jaikara', scheduled for Aug 3 at Fatehgarh Sahib. Nijjar urged the delegation to convince Gurjeet Singh Khalsa to end his tower protest, but morcha coordinator Gurpreet Singh clarified that Khalsa remained firm in his resolve. "Congress leader and committee member Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa was also present and assured his full commitment to framing a legislation for the protection of Guru Granth Sahib and other sacred scriptures. Both Sandhwan and Nijjar acknowledged the sentiments of the morcha and assured every possible support in accordance with the democratic process," said Gurpreet.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
The tower protest behind Punjab's anti-sacrilege bill push?
Patiala: Perched atop a tower in Samana since Oct 12, 2024, Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has become the symbol of a grassroots campaign demanding stringent laws against sacrilege in Punjab. As the 42-year-old completed the 272nd day of his protest on Wednesday, his deteriorating health added urgency to a cause that has struck a deep chord across religious communities. The Punjab govt has prepared a draft of the proposed Bill titled 'The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Act, 2025'. While the draft awaits the governor's assent, pressure is mounting, both due to public sentiment and Khalsa's critical condition. Khalsa, a dairy farmer from Khedi Nagaiya village on the Samana–Patran road, has vowed not to descend from the tower until the govt enacts a comprehensive law to curb sacrilege—irrespective of the religion involved. From protest to policy Gurpreet Singh, coordinator of the Sarv Dharam Beadbi Roko Kanoon Morcha, said the protest gained traction after the Punjab govt formally asked the morcha team—comprising legal experts—to draft the proposed legislation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Erfurt: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo Initially titled 'The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Books and Religious Places Act, 2025', the draft was submitted in late May. Following govt feedback, it was revised and re-submitted on July 3 with key changes. "The title was modified to refer specifically to holy scriptures, and definitions related to religious places were omitted to streamline legal interpretation," Gurpreet Singh explained. Body in decline, spirit unyielding Khalsa's health significantly deteriorated over the course of the protest. Currently battling typhoid, he has been surviving solely on a liquid diet since Jan 11. "His condition is alarming. He's too weak to open his eyes or even sit up. There have been several instances of fainting. His pulse drops drastically, and he has not had a full night's sleep in weeks," Gurpreet Singh said. Khalsa's activism was sparked by a sacrilege incident at Jandiala village in Jalandhar last year. A week after he climbed the tower, local residents began joining in. The site soon became a place of gathering and reflection. In March, even Akal Takht jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj visited the site to express solidarity. Back in Khedi Nagaiya village, Khalsa's wife, 17-year-old son, and extended family await the resolution of a struggle that has taken a significant toll on their lives. MSID:: 122345294 413 |
