Sirsa Accuses Punjab’s AAP Govt of Politicizing Sacrilege Issue

Fast Summary:

• Delhi Minister and BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused the AAP government in Punjab of politicizing sacrilege issues, similar to Congress during its term.
• Sirsa alleged AAP failed to address sacrilege incidents over the past 3.5 years despite claims they knew the perpetrators, citing lack of arrests or effective laws against such acts.
• Bhagwant Mann announced plans for stricter laws against sacrilege, emphasizing provisions for holy texts were missing in current legal frameworks like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
• High-profile sacrilege incidents in 2015 led to police firing during protests, resulting in deaths and injuries; these remain a contentious issue even today.
• Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, suspended from AAP last month for five years over alleged anti-party activities, was called a “poster boy” by Sirsa and criticized for not addressing sacrilege issues in the Assembly.
• Allegations surfaced regarding deteriorating law and order under AAP leadership in Punjab: extortion calls from criminals cited along with insufficient police protection for civilians versus leaders like Arvind Kejriwal.
• Other specific accusations targeted governance issues-state debt allegedly touching ₹4 lakh crore-and criticism over borrowing ₹8,500 crore more recently by Mann’s governance.
• Critique extended to Delhi’s management of vehicular regulations (extension on fuel ban) and alleged land pooling misconduct involving transfers of land owned by Punjab farmers.