MENTIONS HISTORICAL EVENTS TO UNDERSCORE IMPORTANCE OF ‘PREVENTION OF CRIME AGAINST RELIGIOUS SCRIPTURES BILL, 2025’
CITES TRAGIC INCIDENTS OF FEBRUARY 1986
Chandigarh, July 15
Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday brought to the attention of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha the Justice Gurnam Singh Commission Report on the tragic incidents of the year 1986, a copy of which is in the Vidhan Sabha, but whose action taken part has mysteriously disappeared. He urged the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, to form a committee to locate this crucial report. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker announces the formation of a committee to find out the missing report.
Addressing the Punjab Assembly during discussions on the Punjab Prevention of Crime Against Religious Scriptures Bill, 2025, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema this missing part of Justice Gurnam Singh Commission’s report will enable the people of Punjab to ascertain the truth behind the 1986 incidents, understanding the actions of those involved at that time, and see the reality of their descendants’ current actions.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema mentioned the historical events to underscore the importance of the proposed legislation and the need for accountability. He stated that historically, whenever the Shiromani Akali Dal led government or a religiously aligned government came to power in Punjab, there were attempts, either directly or through conspirators, to desecrate the Guru Granth Sahib, aiming to destabilise the state. He cited the tragic incident of February 2, 1986, during a Shiromani Akali Dal tenure, when five sacred Birs were set ablaze at Gurdwara Sahib Guru Arjan Dev ji in Nakodar. He further recounted the events of February 4, 1986, when four youths – Ravinder Singh Littran, Baldhir Singh Ramgarh, Jhirmal Singh Gursiana, and Harminder Singh, were shot dead while peacefully protesting, mirroring the peaceful demonstrations seen at Bargari.
The Finance Minister pointed out that during these incidents, the state was governed by the Shiromani Akali Dal, with Surjit Singh Barnala as Chief Minister, Captain Kanwaljit Singh as Home Minister, and Sukhjinder Singh Khaira, father of current Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, as Education Minister. He expressed regret that not a single action or First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the then government.
