 "Sikh groups protesting against alleged desecration of religious book Guru Granth Sahib at Moga")
As protests continue across the state over the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday called an emergency Cabinet meeting to contain the issue. So, far three people have been arrested for desecrating the Holy Book of the Sikh faith.
Here are latest developments on the issue:
The Blockade
On Monday, various Sikh and other groups blocked highways across the state, demanding action against those responsible for desecrating the Holy Book. They have threatened to continue their blockade till October 25 for three hours every day.
Centre offers help
On Monday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Punjab CM Badal and "assured him all possible help" from the Centre to ease the tension. Singh later briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation in Punjab.
Govt says will punish guilty
Punjab deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal was quoted as saying by news agency PTI, "Apprehending and ensuring exemplary punishment to those guilty of the most heinous and unforgivable crime of sacrilege... are like a holy mission and I will would not rest till I achieve it.”
He added that the outrage against the highest honour of Sikhs had deeply wounded the psyche of every member of the peace-loving community.
CM sees conspiracy
Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal told news channel NDTV that "Certain forces are behind all this... some agencies are responsible for what is happening... they want to disturb the peace in the state... we should be vigilant against their designs.”
Alliance partners to meet
The BJP, which co-governs the state with the Shiromani Akali Dal, will also hold an urgent "core group meet" of the alliance on Tuesday to take a closer look of the situation in the state, a party spokesperson said.
What the BJP is saying
Stressing that the society needs to stay united in this hour of crisis, Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma said "BJP has already conveyed to the Chief Minister to take strongest action against the culprits.”
Opposition demands President’s Rule
Opposition parties claim that the law and order in the state has completely collapsed and have demanded the immediate imposition of President's Rule in the state. Senior AAP leader Bhagwat Mann said, "We will raise the issue in the Parliament about the law and order situation in Punjab... we also demand imposition of President's Rule.”
