‘God save the courts’: CM Bhagwant Mann launches a veiled attack on Radha Soami Satsang Beas chief

The BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's post.

2 min readChandigarhFeb 3, 2026 04:36 PM IST

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal called the Chief Minister's cryptic post remarkable. (File image)

A day after Gurinder Singh Dhillon, the head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, said charges against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia were “false and baseless” after meeting him at Nabha jail, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Tuesday launched a veiled attack at the spiritual leader.

Without naming Dhillon, Mann wrote on X that God only can save the courts, when visitors (to an undertrial) become a judge, and called him a “visitor to an under-trial acting as a judge”.

After meeting Majithia, his second in a little over four months, Dhillon said he discussed “certain matters with him like friends do”. “I cannot divulge everything in public, but the cases against him are false,” he added.

When asked if Majithia was being framed, Dhillon refused to comment, saying it “would not be in my dignity” to speculate.

Just an hour after Dhillon met Majithia, the Supreme Court granted him bail, paving the way for his release from jail after seven months. Majithia was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau in June last year in connection with a disproportionate assets case allegedly linked to the laundering of nearly Rs 540 crore of drug money.

Majithia is a close relative of the Dera chief. His meeting and statement are being watched closely, as the Dera holds significant influence among voters in the state, given its large number of followers.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal called the Chief Minister’s cryptic post remarkable.

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BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal wrote on his Instagram account, “Excess of everything is bad. Now you have even started schooling the spiritual leaders? Baba Gurinder Singh Ji, head of Radha Soami Satsang Beas, is the nucleus of faith for millions of people, but who will explain this to you now?

Akali Dal chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kaler said Mann’s post was “distressing”. “It directly challenges the Constitution of India and our sacred institutions.”

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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