Protester unconscious on 274th day of tower protest for anti sacrilege law in Punjab | Chandigarh News
PATIALA: Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, a 42-year-old activist who has been atop a 400-ft telecom tower in Samana since October 12, 2024, was found unconscious on Friday morning. This incident marks the ninth time he has fainted during his 274-day-long protest advocating for a stringent anti-sacrilege law in Punjab.Sarv Dharm Beadbi Roko Kanoon Morcha coordinator Gurpreet Singh stated that Khalsa’s health has steadily deteriorated over the months. “We found him lying unconscious again today. His condition is alarming, yet he refuses to descend unless the law is enacted,” Gurpreet Singh said.The protest began as a one-man campaign by Khalsa, a dairy farmer from Khedi Nagaiya village on the Samana–Patran road, and has since developed into a broader interfaith movement supported by various religious leaders and civil society groups across Punjab.In response to increasing public pressure, the Punjab govt recently prepared draft legislation titled The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Act, 2025. The draft, finalised by a panel of legal experts in consultation with the Morcha team, was submitted to the state on July 3, 2025. While the bill awaits presentation in the Assembly and subsequent assent by the Governor, the govt has now indicated it may seek public suggestions on the proposed legislation, a move the Morcha views as a delay tactic.“Neither in 2016 nor in 2018 did the govt seek public feedback when it passed resolutions and sent amendments to the Centre,” Gurpreet Singh pointed out. “The Centre too never initiated any such process. This can easily spiral into endless discussion.”He added that respected religious leaders from multiple faiths including Rajeshwaranand from Sanatam Dharam, Mr William from Catholic Church in Jalandhar, Shahi Imam from Ludhiana, others have already endorsed the current draft, and that the govt’s own ADGP (Law & Order), who coordinated the drafting process, can confirm its authenticity and support.Gurpreet Singh warned of serious consequences, stating, “If anything happens to Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, this peaceful protest could spiral into something as massive as the Bargari Morcha. The govt must act decisively.” He said protesting Khalsa’s health records shows his pulse was 43 whereas BP was high.Khalsa has become a powerful symbol for those demanding legal protections against sacrilege, irrespective of religious affiliation. His persistent protest, despite recurring health setbacks, has resonated with a broad cross-section of Punjab’s population, further amplifying calls for legislative action.With his condition turning critical and his supporters growing restless, all eyes are now on the state govt’s next move.
