Punjab’s Law and Order in Crisis, Sacrilege Law in Doubt : Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa
The government must clarify its stand on the sacrilege law; it should not lose force before reaching Chandigarh : Sukhjinder Randhawa
5 Dariya News
Chandigarh 20-Apr-2026
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, has targeted the state government, demanding a clear stance on the sacrilege law. He said the government must clarify whether the law will be implemented effectively or “lose its impact while moving from Kharar to Chandigarh.”
Randhawa stated that older cases related to sacrilege should also be brought under the ambit of the new law so that victims can receive justice. He also questioned whether cases that have been transferred to Chandigarh would fall under this law, urging the government to immediately clarify its position.
Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, he alleged that “gangsters and terrorists, under the protection of the government, are working together to disturb the state’s atmosphere.”Citing the Gurdaspur region as an example, Randhawa said that recently a jeweler was robbed of approximately ₹8 crore, during which the attackers fired openly.
He alleged that the police were nowhere to be seen at the time of the incident. Following public protests, police arrested two accused and showed a recovery of around ₹1.75 crore, but the main accused is still absconding and the full amount has not been recovered.
He added that this was the fourth major robbery in Gurdaspur city, reflecting the seriousness of the law and order situation. Randhawa further said that during his visit from Amritsar to the Gurdaspur border, he did not see a single police checkpoint, and in many police stations, even officers were absent.
He alleged that police stations have been turned into “bunkers,” with high walls, barbed wire, and even electrified fencing, creating an atmosphere of fear among the public. He 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 questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann about the government’s stance and why no strict action has been taken against concerned jail officials so far. He added that during his tenure as Home Minister, strict action was taken against irregularities in jails, which still serves as an example.
Randhawa also alleged that even during the era of terrorism, no terrorist or their associates or family members could become public representatives, but under the present Aam Aadmi Party government, such individuals are being politically protected and brought into power.
Additionally, he criticized the government’s publicity campaigns, saying that advertisements under the slogan “First Time in Punjab” portray the Chief Minister in a manner resembling a strongman, which is not in line with democratic values.
In conclusion, Randhawa said that strengthening law and order and ensuring a sense of security among the people is the foremost responsibility of the government in a sensitive state like Punjab. He demanded immediate concrete steps to improve the situation and remove all doubts regarding the sacrilege law so that public trust can be maintained.