Unfinished Agendas : Akal Takht lambasts State govt’s “failed justice” in Bargari and Maur blast cases

AAP Govt shielding Dera Chief in historic sacrilege cases : Jathedar Gargaj

Amritsar, January 5, 2026 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) – In a sweeping indictment of the state administration, the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, today directly questioned the Punjab government’s commitment to delivering justice in two pivotal cases – the 2015 Bargari sacrilege and the 2017 Maur bomb blast.
During the briefing that also saw Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann summoned at Akal Takhat Sahib, the Jathedar accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of leveraging Sikh sentiments for political gain while failing to prosecute those allegedly responsible for crimes that have deeply wounded the community.
Jathedar Gargaj highlighted the unresolved case of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege at Bargari in Faridkot district, asserting it was executed at the behest of Dera Sirsa chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. He cited courtroom testimony from a key accused dera premi, Pradeep Kaler, who stated the act was carried out on instructions from Ram Rahim and his associate Honeypreet. The Jathedar demanded to know why the state government has not arrested or summoned Ram Rahim, Honeypreet or other accused to face the trial in Punjab. He further connected the 2017 Maur (Bathinda) bomb blast, which killed seven people including five children, to the same Dera, questioning the lack of concrete action since the AAP assumed power.
“The government has used the Bargari issue for political benefit while shielding an anti-Sikh, self-styled godman,” Jathedar Gargaj alleged.
He criticized the government and administration for not challenging the transfer of Bargari-related cases outside Punjab, noting that senior Supreme Court advocate S. Harwinder Singh Phoolka has been left to contest the matter privately. This, he stated, exposes the government’s “hidden inclination” toward Dera Sirsa.
The Jathedar also contrasted the government’s approach, alleging Sikh youths are swiftly targeted under stringent laws like the NSA and UAPA for minor infractions, reflecting a persistent anti-Sikh bias. He recalled that Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan visited the Bargari protest site three years ago, promising justice within three months but a pledge still unfulfilled. The Jathedar confirmed that this matter is under the Takht’s notice and Speaker Sandhwan may also be summoned for an explanation following a review of all facts.