Miffed Navjot Singh Sidhu brings sacrilege issue back to the spotlight

In an emotional video address Wednesday morning, the first after resigning from the post of PPCC chief Tuesday, Navjot Singh Sidhu said he was ready to sacrifice anything “to get justice for the Guru”.

Written by Manraj Grewal Sharma

Chandigarh | Updated: September 30, 2021 11:54 AM IST

4 min read

Former Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

After it rocked the SAD-BJP government in October 2015, the Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege has once again been brought into focus by Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu.

In an emotional video address Wednesday morning, the first after resigning from the post of PPCC chief Tuesday, Sidhu said he was ready to sacrifice anything “to get justice for the Guru”.

In an oblique reference to acting DGP IPS Sahota, who was given the additional charge of the state police chief despite Sidhu pitching for another DGP rank officer, S Chattopadhaya, the cricketer-turned politician said how could he expect justice from those “who gave a clean chit to the Badals six years ago, and tortured young boys”.

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Sahota had headed the first SIT set up by the then Parkash Singh Badal-led government to probe both the incidents of sacrilege at Bargari in which torn pages of the holy Guru Granth Sahib were found outside the village shrine on October 12, 2015, and subsequent firing on protesters three days later at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in which two youths were killed. A week after the incident, Sahota arrested two brothers and blamed the sacrilege on their foreign handlers in Australia and Dubai. But the case fell flat the very next day when media reports revealed those arrested were NRIs. Subsequently, the brothers were released, and the case handed over to CBI.

A spokesperson of the Punjab police clarified that the SIT headed by Sahota, which functioned for only 20 days, had not given a clean chit to Dera Sacha Saudi chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim or any other person.

Sidhu also questioned the appointment of Advocate General APS Deol, who he alluded to as “those who have given blanket bails”. Until recently, Deol was representing Sumedh Singh Saini, who was the Punjab Police chief at the time of sacrilege, and had got him blanket bail in four cases filed by the state police until the polls in February next year.

The desecration of Guru Granth Sahib was one of the major issues that had led to the decimation of the SAD-BJP combine in the 2107 Assembly polls, relegating them to the third spot after the newbie AAP. It was on the issue of sacrilege that Sidhu had come out of his political hibernation in April this year soon after the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the SIT headed by IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap. Sidhu had slammed former CM Amarinder Singh for failing to do “justice” to the Guru, and with some Congress ministers, set in motion the events that led to the ouster of the Congress veteran.

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But while his speech in April had resonated with people, his hasty exit just two days after CM Charanjit Singh Channi formed his Cabinet, isn’t getting the same reaction. Bhai Gora Singh, priest of the gurdwara at Burj Jawahar Singh Wala, from where the holy Guru Gramth Sahib was first stolen on June 1, 2015, and whose torn pages were found at Bargari, says: “I can understand the sentiments of Sidhu ji but all of us feel we should give some time to this government. When we gave four and half years to Captain saab, why not a few months to this one?”

In Chandigarh, leading Sikh historian and former IAS officer Navtej Singh said: “If Sidhu thinks the sacrilege issue can be resolved in a few months, he is living in a fool’s paradise.” He added, “I feel he should have tried to handle this matter in a better way instead of resigning and leaving people in the lurch.”

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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