Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa Criticizes AAP Government Over Sacrilege Law and Security Concerns
Congress Member of Parliament and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa launched a sharp critique against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Monday, demanding urgent clarity on the proposed sacrilege legislation while expressing grave concerns about the state's deteriorating law and order situation.
Demands for Clarity on Sacrilege Law Implementation
Randhawa pressed the government to explicitly outline whether the sacrilege law would be implemented with full effectiveness or risk "losing its impact while moving from Kharar to Chandigarh." He emphasized the necessity of including older sacrilege cases under the new law's jurisdiction to ensure victims receive long-awaited justice.
The Congress leader specifically questioned whether cases transferred to Chandigarh would fall under the proposed legislation, urging the administration to publicly clarify its stance on this critical matter.
Alarming Law and Order Situation in Punjab
Expressing deep apprehension about security conditions, Randhawa alleged that "gangsters and terrorists, under the protection of the government, are working together to disturb the state's atmosphere." He cited a recent high-profile robbery in Gurdaspur as evidence of systemic failures.
According to his account, a jeweler was looted of approximately Rs 8 crore with shots fired during the incident, while police were conspicuously absent from the scene. Although authorities later arrested two suspects and recovered about Rs 1.75 crore, the primary accused remains at large.
Randhawa identified this as the fourth major robbery in Gurdaspur city, asserting that such incidents reflect a worsening security environment across Punjab.
Police Infrastructure and Administration Criticisms
During his travel from Amritsar to the Gurdaspur border, Randhawa reported observing not a single police checkpoint and finding multiple police stations completely unmanned. He alleged that these stations have been transformed into "bunkers," creating widespread fear among citizens instead of providing protection.
The Congress MP also raised serious concerns about jail administration, stating, "This is the first time in Punjab that gangsters are being openly promoted and given special facilities." He directly questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about the apparent lack of disciplinary action against responsible officials.
Randhawa's comprehensive critique highlights mounting political pressure on the AAP government to address both legislative clarity and fundamental security challenges facing Punjab.
