Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday asserted that Sri Akal Takht Sahib is supreme for every Punjabi and Sikh, but some people are attempting to misuse this revered institution for their vested interests. Calling for immediate elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Chief Minister said that Punjab can no longer afford to let religious institutions remain under the grip of those who exploited faith for political gains and patronised mafias that pushed the state into decline.
During a massive Lok Milni at historic village Mandi Kalan in Maur constituency, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while his government has enacted the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026 to ensure the harshest punishment for sacrilege, it is simultaneously empowering women through the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, strengthening farmers through expanded canal irrigation and daytime power supply, and transforming education to make Punjab the number one state in the country in school education. He also announced a grant of ₹50 lakh for village development, the opening of a new library and the renovation of a 55-year-old Dharamshala in the village.
The Chief Minister spoke on a wide range of issues including the sanctity of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the role of the SGPC, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, welfare initiatives, education reforms, irrigation infrastructure, healthcare and the overall development of Punjab.
Addressing the Lok Milni, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Sri Akal Takht Sahib is sacred for every Sikh and is considered the highest temporal seat of the community. 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.”
The Chief Minister noted, “I have written to the Government of India that it has been 14 years since elections were held for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The organisation is in dire straits today.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The money distributed by Sukhbir Singh Badal during floods was not his hard-earned money. It was the money offered by devotees at Gurdwaras. The poorest of the poor contribute something to Gurdwara Sahib even while performing the last rites of a parent. However, Sukhbir Singh Badal did not even arrange langar during his father’s funeral and instead brought it from Sri Muktsar Sahib.”
“The Badal family usurped everything in Punjab by patronising land, sand, ‘Chitta’, transport and other mafias. They ruined the state and caused immense hardship to its people. They misused panth for their vested interests. People voted for them in the name of the Guru Sahiban, but they disrespected Gurbani. There is a long saga of the wrongs committed by the Akalis and the Badal family against Punjab and its people. The masses can never forgive them for these actions,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “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. Under this law, anyone attempting desecration can face imprisonment ranging from ten years to life imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50 lakh. If the fine is not paid, the offender’s property can be sold so that future generations remember the consequences of disrespecting Guru Sahib and hurting the sentiments of people.”
“I am confident that this law will act as a strong deterrent and no one will dare indulge in such unfortunate acts in the future. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our collective duty to ensure its sanctity,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He pointed out, “The Akalis misused religion for political gains and people can never forgive them for that. I consider myself fortunate that I have been entrusted with the responsibility of enacting this historic legislation.”
Slamming the opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that traditional political parties are spreading malicious propaganda because they are afraid of being exposed before the people. “These leaders deceived people in the name of religion, caste and hatred for their own political interests. Since assuming office, I have devoted every minute of my life to the welfare of the people and that is why they are upset. All the traditional parties have united against me to stop me from working for the welfare of the people. However, their actions will never deter me from serving Punjab and its people,” he added.
Taking a jibe at the Congress party, he said that every Congress leader wants to become Chief Minister. “In Congress, every leader aspires to become the head of the state. The party has more chief ministerial aspirants than ordinary karyakartas, Congress leaders are daydreaming about returning to power. The party is a divided house and will collapse under the weight of its own infighting. They have no vision for Punjab and are interested only in grabbing power and exploiting the state’s resources. Their dreams will never be fulfilled because people are fully aware of their intentions,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab has witnessed a paradigm shift under the AAP government. “Earlier, traditional parties simply waited for their turn to capture power. Today, the broom is cleaning the mess created by these parties,” he said.
“In the 2022 Assembly elections, seven former Chief Ministers and their families were rejected by the people. Punjab chose an honest government that has worked tirelessly for public welfare. That historic mandate has played a key role in transforming Punjab into a frontrunner state in the country,” he added.
Referring to the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, the Chief Minister said that the scheme will empower women across Punjab. “I have announced several major schemes in the past, but I am particularly happy that the state government is now all set to launch the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna for the empowerment of mothers and sisters. Under this scheme, every women in Punjab above 18 years of age will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from Scheduled Caste categories above 18 years of age will receive ₹1,500 per month. Eligible beneficiaries will begin receiving benefits from July 1,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “This is not a political function. It is an opportunity to interact directly with people. Several governments came and went, but none of them paid attention to the welfare of ordinary citizens,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister said that every penny from the state exchequer is being utilised for public welfare. “More than 90% of households in Punjab are receiving free electricity. Farmers are now getting power during daytime, something unprecedented in the state’s history,” he said.
“At a time when national assets are being handed over to a select few at throwaway prices, Punjab created history by purchasing a private thermal plant and naming it after Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that his government has taken a landmark decision to protect students and parents from arbitrary fee hikes. "We have approved an ordinance to regulate fee hikes by private unaided schools. The objective is to ensure transparency and accountability in school fee structures and protect students and parents from arbitrary increases. No private school will be allowed to increase fees by more than five percent. Strict action will be taken against any institution violating this provision,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that tax money belongs to the people and is now being returned to them through development and welfare initiatives. “People’s money is coming back to people through better schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure. We have provided free electricity, jobs to more than 68,000 youth without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas resulting in savings of ₹70 lakh every day and strengthened infrastructure across Punjab,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted, “When our government assumed office, only 22% canal water was being utilised for irrigation. Today, that figure has crossed 80%. The AAP Government has significantly strengthened irrigation infrastructure. “We have laid 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and watercourses across Punjab. Around 21,000 cusecs of water have been released through these channels to meet the irrigation needs of farmers. This quantity of water is equivalent to the supply from two Bhakra canals and will greatly benefit farmers across the state,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that recharge points have been established in canals and rivers to improve groundwater levels. “Groundwater levels have increased by two to four metres in several areas. This initiative is aimed at safeguarding the interests of future generations because Punjab’s identity and existence are intrinsically linked to water,” he said.
“No so-called ‘freebie’ or concession can eliminate poverty and social challenges. Education is the key to improving lives and raising the standard of living of people,” he added.
Highlighting Punjab’s achievements in education, the Chief Minister said that the state has emerged as a national leader. “Due to the dedicated efforts of the Punjab Government, the state has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle-school education. We upgraded schools, strengthened the education system, introduced smart classrooms and provided advanced training to teachers. As a result, Punjab is now excelling in the education sector,” he added.
“Recent figures released by NITI Aayog show that Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the top position in primary and middle-school education,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
“For the last four years, we have consistently focused on teacher training, modern teaching methods and smart classrooms. Earlier Kerala held the top position, but Punjab has now secured the number one rank by a huge margin. Education is the light that dispels darkness. That is why our government will continue to accord the highest priority to this sector,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister further said that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is transforming healthcare delivery in Punjab. “Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, health cards are being issued to all 65 lakh families in Punjab. Every family is entitled to free treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh annually. More than 30 lakh beneficiaries have already received health cards and people have availed free treatment worth around ₹650 crore under the scheme. I urge every eligible family to take maximum benefit of this initiative,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab has also achieved a major breakthrough in power supply to the agriculture sector. “For the first time in Punjab’s history, farm tube wells have been receiving more than eight hours of uninterrupted power supply during the paddy season. Farmers are now receiving electricity during daytime for irrigation purposes, which has transformed their lives and greatly benefited agriculture,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
