The North News
Chandigarh, July 10
BJP state president Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of using sacrilege as a political prop while quietly facilitating land grabs and weakening democratic oversight. Calling the special assembly session on a proposed anti-sacrilege law nothing more than “drama”, Jakhar demanded that the Bhagwant Mann-led government clarify whether it had consulted religious institutions before drafting the bill. He criticised the non-disclosure of the bill’s contents, alleging that the legislation was being pushed through without transparency or consensus.
“This is theatrics at its best. If the AAP is serious about sacrilege, it should start by sharing the bill and involving religious leaders,” Jakhar said. “Instead, it’s a publicity stunt to distract from the government’s abysmal failures,” he added.
He pointed to over 300 reported incidents of sacrilege since 2015, asking how many perpetrators had been convicted under the existing two-year sentence provision. He added that any new legislation should include strict penalties for leaders who visit religious sites under the influence of alcohol, an apparent swipe at the personal conduct of some AAP figures.
Jakhar also launched a blistering attack on the government’s land pooling policy, accusing it of acquiring land “without public necessity” and handing it over to cronies connected to Arvind Kejriwal, who he alleged was controlling Punjab’s government remotely.
“This isn’t governance. This is legalised looting of land. They’ve shifted acquisition powers from the Chief Minister to the Chief Secretary, all while amending rules behind closed doors,” he said.
The BJP leader claimed that key protections for landowners — such as a 30-day objection period — had been reduced to 15 days without public notice, bypassing the cabinet and subverting accountability. He vowed legal action, warning that the BJP would fight the “loot of Punjab’s land” in court and on the ground, promising farmers that no land would be acquired without their consent.
Turning to law and order, Jakhar claimed that Kejriwal’s shadow governance had turned Punjab into a state gripped by fear. He demanded accountability for how jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was repeatedly interviewed from prison, a matter that has raised serious questions about security and influence.
He accused the AAP of shielding those responsible, noting the conspicuous silence of its leaders.
Jakhar also used the opportunity to lash out at the Congress, accusing it of retreating into irrelevance. “They’ve surrendered completely,” he said, adding that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had lost all moral authority after backtracking on his promise to take action against several leaders.
