Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
‘597 cases, just 44 convictions’: Sukhbir Badal slams Congress, AAP over sacrilege politics
Babushahi Bureau
Jaito (Punjab), March 31, 2026: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday accused both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of politicising sacrilege incidents in Punjab, alleging that their failure to take strict action resulted in poor conviction rates.
Referring to reports of 597 sacrilege cases over the past decade, Badal questioned why there had been only 44 convictions and 99 acquittals. Addressing a gathering during the party’s ‘Punjab Bachao’ campaign, he said both successive governments had failed to deliver justice in such sensitive cases.
He also criticised certain religious leaders, questioning their absence from sites where sacrilege incidents occurred, and alleged that attempts were made to defame the SAD government during the 2015 Bargari sacrilege episode.
Targeting the ruling AAP, Badal claimed that incidents of sacrilege began rising after the party’s entry into Punjab politics in 2014. He also referred to a case involving an AAP leader to support his allegations.
The SAD leader further accused the state government of misusing public funds for political purposes, alleging that large-scale rallies and events were being organised at government expense. Calling it a “major scam,” he urged Gulab Chand Kataria to order an independent probe into the matter.
Badal also took a swipe at Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann over claims related to improvements in education, questioning the establishment of new schools and recruitment of teachers.
Outlining his party’s vision, Badal said the SAD would prioritise farmers’ interests, ensure better irrigation, provide uninterrupted power supply, and create employment opportunities through initiatives like a proposed World Skill University.
Senior party leaders were also present at the event.