Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann is set to begin a four day ‘Shukrana Yatra’ across the state from today just days after the government passed a new anti-sacrilege law and the yatra is being described by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a ‘thanksgiving journey’ to express gratitude after bringing in stricter legal provisions against sacrilege.
The recently passed law titled the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026 proposes tough punishment for those found guilty of disrespecting religious texts especially Sri Guru Granth Sahib since the issue of sacrilege has remained highly sensitive in Punjab for years this move is being considered politically and emotionally very significant.
According to the official plan the yatra will begin at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and conclude on May 9 at Shri Fatehgarh Sahib and during these four days Mann will travel through several key districts including Ropar, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda, Sangrur and Patiala and he is expected to visit major religious places, offer prayers and interact with people across different regions.
On the first day Mann will pay obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Sri Anandpur Sahib before moving through areas like Ropar, Balachaur, Banga and Phagwara and on the second day the journey will pass through Jalandhar, Baba Bakala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Zira, Faridkot and Kotkapura while the third day will include visits to Bathinda and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib along with stops in Talwandi Sabo, Sardulgarh, Mansa, Barnala and Sunam and the final day will see the yatra move through Sangrur, Samana and Patiala before ending at Shri Fatehgarh Sahib.
Officials said the chief minister will meet devotees and local residents during the journey combining religious visits with public outreach however political observers see the yatra as more than just a spiritual exercise. The sacrilege issue has deeply influenced Punjab politics since the Bargari sacrilege incident in 2015 which triggered widespread protests and impacted the image of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the matter continued to remain important during the tenure of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh as well.
