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News18
9 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Anti-sacrilege bill will ensure exemplary punishment: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
Shehna (Barnala), July 19 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the anti-sacrilege bill, which was introduced in the state assembly, will ensure exemplary punishment for those who indulge in desecration of religious scriptures. Mann reiterated his government's commitment to curb sacrilege incidents. On July 14, the AAP government introduced in the House the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025 — proposing punishment up to life imprisonment for sacrilege acts against religious scriptures. The state assembly referred the bill to a select committee of the House to seek public opinion including religious bodies on the proposed legislation. The chief minister emphasised that this sensitive and critical issue affects all Punjabis and has far-reaching implications for both present and future generations. Stringent punishment is necessary to serve as a deterrent against such crimes, Mann said during his address. On his government's anti-drug drive, he said the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (war against drugs) campaign has proven the effectiveness of the state government's strategy in tackling drug abuse. He pointed out that the drug menace had long tarnished Punjab's image. In response, his government adopted a multi-pronged approach — disrupting drug supply chains, arresting major offenders, rehabilitating victims, and seizing or destroying illegally acquired property of drug smugglers. As part of the anti-drug campaign, the chief minister said panchayats have been passing resolutions to declare their villages drug-free. He said that his government will not sit idle while smugglers thrive at the cost of the lives of drug victims. The state has already snapped drug supply lines and jailed key players involved in the trade, Mann said, adding that for the first time, the illegally acquired properties of drug smugglers are being confiscated or demolished, serving as a strong deterrent to others. Speaking about the agricultural sector, Mann said he had promised to ensure paddy transplantation without the use of tubewells. He expressed pride that canal water has now reached even the remotest villages at the tail ends of the state and said that since taking office, the government has revived 15,947 water channels across Punjab. Mann said that at the time he assumed office, only 21 per cent of canal water was being used for irrigation but today that number has risen to 63 per cent. He also mentioned that his government successfully safeguarded Punjab's water resources from being diverted to other states. PTI CHS OZ OZ view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 22:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Print
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Anti-sacrilege bill will ensure exemplary punishment: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
On July 14, the AAP government introduced in the House the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025 — proposing punishment up to life imprisonment for sacrilege acts against religious scriptures. Shehna (Barnala), July 19 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the anti-sacrilege bill, which was introduced in the state assembly, will ensure exemplary punishment for those who indulge in desecration of religious scriptures. The state assembly referred the bill to a select committee of the House to seek public opinion including religious bodies on the proposed legislation. The chief minister emphasised that this sensitive and critical issue affects all Punjabis and has far-reaching implications for both present and future generations. Stringent punishment is necessary to serve as a deterrent against such crimes, Mann said during his address. On his government's anti-drug drive, he said the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (war against drugs) campaign has proven the effectiveness of the state government's strategy in tackling drug abuse. He pointed out that the drug menace had long tarnished Punjab's image. In response, his government adopted a multi-pronged approach — disrupting drug supply chains, arresting major offenders, rehabilitating victims, and seizing or destroying illegally acquired property of drug smugglers. As part of the anti-drug campaign, the chief minister said panchayats have been passing resolutions to declare their villages drug-free. He said that his government will not sit idle while smugglers thrive at the cost of the lives of drug victims. The state has already snapped drug supply lines and jailed key players involved in the trade, Mann said, adding that for the first time, the illegally acquired properties of drug smugglers are being confiscated or demolished, serving as a strong deterrent to others. Speaking about the agricultural sector, Mann said he had promised to ensure paddy transplantation without the use of tubewells. He expressed pride that canal water has now reached even the remotest villages at the tail ends of the state and said that since taking office, the government has revived 15,947 water channels across Punjab. Mann said that at the time he assumed office, only 21 per cent of canal water was being used for irrigation but today that number has risen to 63 per cent. He also mentioned that his government successfully safeguarded Punjab's water resources from being diverted to other states. PTI CHS OZ OZ This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Akali-AAP-Congress face-off: Punjab Assembly descends into chaos
Chandigarh: The Punjab Assembly descended into chaos after a confrontation between Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa during a discussion on an anti-drug drive. Participating in a debate on the concluding day of the special session of the Punjab Assembly here, Cheema lashed out at the previous SAD-BJP and Congress governments, accusing them of failing to wipe out the scourge of drugs. Cheema credited the Bhagwant Mann government with taking such efforts as 55,000 government jobs and sports event 'khedan watan Punjab diyan' to wean away the youth from drugs. He also lauded the state government's anti-drug drive, 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh.' After Cheema sought permission from Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rori to play old videos of some Congress leaders in which they had criticised Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, and Bajwa took an exception to it. 'Under what rules of the Vidhan Sabha, can it be allowed. Are you sitting in a picture hall? Talk some sense,' Bajwa said. He said it was on his complaint that Cheema and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora were booked in Chandigarh for allegedly circulating a 'doctored video' he had posted in Majithia's case. Bajwa said he also had criticised the action of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau for being in 'utter violation' of the law when they went to Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia's house. Last month, Bikram Singh Majithia was booked in a disproportionate assets case. Cheema said that when the Punjab Vigilance took action against Majithia, the Congress leaders came out in support of the Akali leader. Later, noisy scenes were again witnessed when Akali MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura accused Congress MLA Avtar Singh Junior of abusing him, leading to more heated arguments in the House. The deputy speaker asked Junior if he used abusive language, to which the Congress MLA assented. 'Have you come here to abuse?' the deputy speaker then said to Junior. The AAP MLAs rose from their seats and sought action against Junior for using cuss word. The deputy speaker assured everyone that he would take strict notice of it. Later, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan got the records checked and found Junior guilty of using an objectionable word and said a resolution can be moved against Junior. Sandhwan said Junior can seek an apology. When Junior did not stand up to seek an apology, Congress leader Bajwa sought forgiveness on his behalf. Earlier, Bajwa, while participating in the debate, emphasised that the nexus between police and drug smugglers must be shattered to wipe out the drug menace. He alleged that there was no impact of the anti-drug drive on the ground, and that drugs could still be bought in the streets.
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Bhagwant Mann accuses previous governments of aiding drug trade, vows action
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's firm stance against the drug menace, accusing previous administrations of complicity in enabling the trade. Speaking during the concluding session of the state assembly's special debate on 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (War Against Drugs), Mann said the current government has significantly disrupted drug supply networks and taken concrete action against those involved, including politically influential further announced that the government is working to seal the state's borders to prevent the inflow of drugs and redirect its youth toward employment and economic opportunities. The Chief Minister alleged that earlier regimes not only turned a blind eye to the drug crisis but also actively protected and facilitated drug networks across the state. He claimed that government machinery, including official vehicles, was misused to transport narcotics under the patronage of powerful said that his administration has broken this pattern by arresting several individuals who were previously considered beyond the reach of law. He added that many of these individuals, known for amassing wealth through illicit activities, are now in jail and facing the consequences of their Mann also took aim at political opponents who, he said, opposed the arrest of senior leaders linked to the drug trade. Without naming anyone directly, he referenced historical instances to underscore what he described as a legacy of betrayal against Punjab's Chief Minister clarified that there is no political vendetta behind the arrests. Legal proceedings are being followed and the judiciary will determine the outcome. During the address, Mann said that those who contributed to the devastation of Punjab's youth through drugs do not deserve any special privileges while in custody.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Punjab
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
From Gutka oath to FIRs: Drug debate turns personal in Punjab vidhan sabha as Harpal Singh Cheema, Partap Singh Bajwa exchange barbs
Chandigarh: The Punjab assembly turned into a battleground on Tuesday as a fierce and deeply personal debate unfolded over the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's war on drugs. What began as a discussion on the war against drugs led by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema soon spiralled into a flurry of allegations, counter-allegations, and emotional outbursts, dragging in leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and others. Cheema kicked off by delving into the roots of the drug menace, tracing it to the tenures of previous regimes. He accused the Congress (2002–2007), led by then CM Captain Amarinder Singh, and the SAD-BJP govt (2007–2017) under Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal, of allowing drugs to infiltrate Punjab. "Before 2007, people only knew opium and 'bhukki'. After that, heroin, smack, and 'chitta' became household terms," said Cheema, holding former Capt Amarinder Singh, and the Badals responsible for the mushrooming of drug cartels. He claimed that under the SAD-BJP rule (2007–2017), drug mafia expanded unchecked, forcing families to send their children abroad. Cheema lambasted Congress for failing to act even after Capt Amarinder Singh, ahead of the 2017 assembly elections, swore on the Gutka Sahib to eliminate drugs within four weeks. "He failed to act. The Congress high command replaced him with Charanjit Singh Channi, yet the problem remained," Cheema said. Defending AAP's efforts, he highlighted that during 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (war against drugs), which began on March 1, 13,665 cases were registered against drug traffickers and 21,977 arrests were made, with Rs 11 crore seized in drug money. "When action was taken against prominent offenders, Congress leaders jumped to defend them," he said. Cheema attempted to play a video of former CM Channi allegedly linking Majithia to drugs, but Bajwa objected, asking under which rule a video of a non-member could be played in the vidhan sabha. "Is this a movie theatre?" he asked. Cheema stopped the clip but referenced past debates where, he claimed, Channi equated "chitta" with Majithia. Bajwa accused Cheema of vendetta politics and retaliated: "You filed an FIR against me for a TV interview where I said 50 bombs entered Punjab—18 exploded, 32 are unaccounted for. On whose behest was the FIR registered, Awami League of Pakistan?" asked Bajwa. Cheema fired back: "Bajwa has ties with Pakistan's Awami League. If you mess with us, we will respond firmly." Later, Cheema shared a post by Bajwa on X, accusing him of siding with Manjithia. "It shows you are with them," he said. "We are not afraid of FIRs. Even if Bajwa joins BJP and files a murder case, we will not back down," Cheema said. Bajwa clarified his position in the doctored video circulated by AAP leaders Cheema, Aman Arora, and others, which resulted in FIRs against them. "The original video was mine. I supported MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia over the manner of the raid at her home. I never extended support to her husband," Bajwa said. "Under no circumstances am I with Bikramjit Singh Majithia." He reminded the house that he was the first to move court against Majithia when he was PPCC president 11 years ago and asked the then CM, Parkash Singh Badal, to get the Bhola drug case probed by CBI. "I said then, and I say now, we will tie a noose around Majithia's neck. I never got the chance to act—but if I had, I would have done it long ago," he said. Bajwa held that an NDPS case was registered against Majithia during the Congress govt, but the Supreme Court granted him relief as elections were around the corner. Bajwa added he was arrested by the AAP govt and was released on bail and was later again arrested. Bajwa said Majithia's subsequent arrests under the DA case instead of NDPS had weakened the campaign against him. Punjab rural development and panchayats minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said the state govt's campaign had significantly weakened the nexus. Cheema vs Khaira: NDPS Case Reignites Cheema targeted Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira over his name in a 2015 NDPS case involving his aide Gurdev Singh Dabi. Khaira rebutted, stating that the Supreme Court stayed the trial, and pointed out that even Bhagwant Mann, then an MP, called it "political vendetta". Cheema responded, "A stay is not an acquittal." Tempers Flare: Avtar Singh Junior's Outburst Congress MLA Avtar Singh Junior lost his cool after a treasury bench member allegedly accused him of being involved in the drug trade. Avtar resorted to using foul language, drawing strong objections from treasury benches. After commotion, speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan directed a review of the proceedings, during which the use of inappropriate language by the Congress legislator was confirmed, what Avtar admitted. The speaker then sought a resolution for action against the legislator. However, leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa intervened, explaining the circumstances that led to the outburst. He also tendered an apology on Avtar's behalf, which was accepted. SAD's Ayali for collective fight SAD MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali took a more assuaging tone, saying no govt can support sacrilege or drug trade, but stressed that any political leader involved in drugs must face strict action—regardless of their position. He called for cross-party unity to fight the menace.
