The Shiromani Akali Dal made strong accusations against the Aam Aadmi Party on Monday. The party claimed that incidents of sacrilege began in Punjab only after AAP entered the state's political scene in 2014.
SAD Points Finger at AAP's Entry
Addressing journalists in Chandigarh, SAD chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler directly responded to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent comments. Mann had suggested that sacrilege would restart if Akali Dal returned to power.
"In 2014, AAP stepped into Punjab," Kler stated firmly. "From that very day onwards, the sacrileges took place in our state."
He drew a clear distinction between different types of attacks on Sikh religious institutions. Kler acknowledged that Congress governments had carried out direct attacks in the past, including the demolition of Akal Takht.
"But this backstabbing, these clandestine attacks and incidents of sacrilege started specifically after AAP entered Punjab," he emphasized.
Questioning the Chief Minister's Focus
Kler questioned why Bhagwant Mann constantly talks about Shiromani Akali Dal during his speeches. He challenged the Chief Minister to inform the public about political convictions in sacrilege cases.
"To date, if any political person was convicted in sacrilege incidents, it is AAP MLA Naresh Yadav," Kler revealed. "The AAP-led government went all out to save him."
The SAD spokesperson made another serious allegation against the current administration. He accused the AAP government of making extraordinary efforts to transfer cases involving Gurmeet Ram Rahim out of Punjab.
Demanding Independent Investigation
Shiromani Akali Dal formally demanded an independent probe into the controversial Atishi video. The party expressed deep skepticism about the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory report concerning this video.
Kler found it particularly shocking that Chief Minister Mann chose to protect Atishi. "He decided to shield someone who disrespected the Guru Sahiban," Kler said with evident frustration. "Instead of demanding action against her, he protected her."
The Akali leader called for a thorough investigation into what he described as a conspiracy. He alleged there were attempts to destroy evidence in cases involving sacrilege against the Guru Sahiban.
Kler raised jurisdictional questions about Punjab Police's involvement. "The incident occurred in Delhi," he pointed out. "What jurisdiction did Punjab Police have in this matter?"
Contradictions on Gangsterism
The SAD spokesperson challenged the government's claims about combating gangsterism in Punjab. He referenced a specific case currently before a Mohali court.
"The government gave a statement in court that it did not have any evidence against dreaded gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria," Kler disclosed. "They said he should be discharged."
He alleged a pattern of cooperation between the AAP government and criminal elements. According to Kler, the administration previously facilitated Bhagwanpuria's transfer from Assam to Punjab.
This transfer happened during the Tarn Taran bypoll period. Kler suggested this move was intended to influence the election outcome.
"This proves the AAP government is actually shaking hands with gangsters," he asserted. "These are the same gangsters who ruined Punjab and caused capital flight from our state."
Accusations of Political Overreach
Kler condemned what he described as the government's contradictory behavior. On one side, he said, they protect Atishi who faces sacrilege allegations and cooperate with gangsters.
On the other side, he accused them of political overreach in religious matters. He specifically mentioned government actions at a religious institution in Banga.
"They are playing politics while overreaching their authority," Kler concluded. "They are checking 'swaroops' of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji where they have no business interfering."
The Shiromani Akali Dal's press conference presented multiple allegations against the ruling AAP government. They connected sacrilege incidents directly to AAP's political entry into Punjab. They questioned the government's handling of both religious matters and criminal elements operating in the state.
