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After 560 days atop a 400-ft Samana tower, Gurjeet Khalsa ends sacrilege protest as Punjab enacts Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendments Act 2026
Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, who spent 560 days atop a 400-foot BSNL tower in Samana, descended on April 24, 2026. The breakthrough came after Punjab passed, assented to, and issued the official gazette notification for the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, addressing his demand for stricter penalties for beadbi. The rescue operation was conducted by state fire service and police, and Khalsa expressed gratitude to the government for enacting the law.
Why It Matters
The new legislation imposes a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment, extendable to life, for criminal conspiracies intended to disrupt communal harmony, along with fines up to ₹25 lakh, aiming to deter sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib.
Timeline
6 Events
Gurjeet Khalsa descends from the tower amid Sikh chants
April 24, 2026
At 7:35am, Khalsa is lowered to ground; he proclaims, 'We have won,' and thanks the Punjab government for enacting the law.
Rescue operation begins to end the 560-day protest atop the tower
April 24, 2026
At 7:25am, rescue teams from the state fire service, district police, and civil officials commence the operation to lower Khalsa from the 400-foot tower, using a turntable ladder and crane-lift.
Official gazette notification issued for the Amendment Act
April 24, 2026
The Punjab government issues the official gazette notification for the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, fulfilling Khalsa's core demand.
Governor assents to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026
April 19, 2026
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria grants assent to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Punjab Assembly passes Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026
April 13, 2026
The Punjab Legislative Assembly passes the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, proposing enhanced penalties for crimes aimed at disrupting communal harmony.
Gurjeet Singh Khalsa climbs 400-foot BSNL tower in Samana to protest beadbi penalties
October 12, 2024
Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, a 43-year-old former army sepoy and dairy farmer, climbs a 400-foot BSNL tower in Samana town to demand stricter punishments for beadbi (sacrilege) involving Guru Granth Sahib.