Samana Protest Intensifies on Fourth Day, Demanding National Anti-Sacrilege Legislation
The ongoing protest at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Chowk in Samana entered its fourth day on Friday, with demonstrators ramping up pressure on the Punjab government to enact stricter laws against the desecration of religious scriptures. Protesters are calling for a stringent national law that prescribes exemplary punishment for sacrilege, applicable across all religions without discrimination.
Groundswell of Support and Solidarity Actions
The agitation has gained significant momentum following recent confrontations with police and the preventive detention of supporters earlier this week. In a powerful show of solidarity, activists from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) made several toll plazas across Punjab toll-free from noon to 4 pm on Friday.
Kaka Singh Kotda, the union's general secretary, stated that this action was a protest against alleged police high-handedness and delays in bringing a comprehensive anti-sacrilege law to fruition. He confirmed that some protesters were detained in Moga by police but were later released, emphasizing that all toll plazas remained free for the designated four-hour period.
Key Figure and Core Demands of the Protest
At the heart of this prolonged agitation is Gurjeet Singh Khalsa (43), who has been perched atop a nearly 400-foot BSNL tower in Samana since October 12, 2024—a protest now stretching beyond 500 days. Khalsa has repeatedly called for strict punishment for those found guilty of desecrating sacred texts, including the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, and has urged lawmakers to enact uniform protections for all major religions.
The ground-level protest, formally named the Dharam Yuddh Morcha, intensified after clashes with police on February 24, during which around 200 supporters were reportedly detained as a preventive measure. Most were subsequently released. Several farmer and religious organizations, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), have extended their support to the agitation.
Government Response and Legislative Delays
Notably, the AAP-led Punjab government had constituted a committee in mid-2025 to draft the proposed Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill. The draft reportedly proposed severe penalties, including imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life and fines of up to Rs 10 lakh for the desecration of scriptures.
The bill was referred to a select committee for wider stakeholder consultation, with a six-month deadline to submit its report. However, more than seven months later, no public update has been issued. Protesters cite this delay as clear evidence of unfulfilled governmental assurances, fueling their ongoing demands for immediate legislative action.
