Former Soldier to Descend After 575 Days on Mobile Tower as Punjab Issues Anti-Sacrilege Law Notification
In a dramatic conclusion to an 18-month-long protest, Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, a 43-year-old former soldier and dairy farmer from Kheri Nagaian village, is set to climb down from a BSNL mobile tower in Samana. His descent will follow the Punjab government's issuance of the gazette notification for the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which is expected on Monday.
A Protest Born from Sacrilege Incident
Khalsa began his extraordinary protest on October 12, 2024, just days after a sacrilege incident in Jalandhar. Vowing to remain perched nearly 400 feet above ground until legislative action was complete, he refused to descend until a stringent anti-sacrilege law was formally notified. His protest has now lasted 575 days, making it one of the longest such demonstrations in recent Punjab history.
Severe Health Toll from Prolonged Protest
Living under a tarpaulin with only one meal a day, Khalsa revealed that the prolonged protest took a devastating toll on his physical well-being. The immobility, exposure to extreme weather conditions, and lack of electricity at the tower site worsened his health significantly. He developed diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart complications during his time on the tower.
Despite these health challenges, Khalsa continued his protest even when faced with serious illness in his family and repeated appeals by authorities to come down. His determination remained unshaken throughout the ordeal.
Growing Support and Legislative Progress
Support for Khalsa's agitation grew substantially in recent months, with road blockades and dharnas organized in Samana to amplify his demand. The legislative process moved forward steadily:
- The amendment Bill was cleared by the Punjab Cabinet on April 11
- It passed unanimously by the Assembly on April 13
- The Governor granted assent on April 19
This legislative progress paved the way for the formal notification that will finally bring Khalsa's protest to an end.
Ceremonial Conclusion to Historic Protest
Khalsa's descent is expected to occur after the Bhog of an Akhand Path at the protest site, marking a ceremonial conclusion to his remarkable demonstration. Once the gazette notification is officially issued, his 575-day vigil will conclude, ending what has become a symbol of persistent demand for stronger anti-sacrilege legislation in Punjab.
The protest has highlighted both the depth of feeling around sacrilege issues in Punjab and the extraordinary lengths to which individuals will go to demand legislative action on matters of religious significance.
