SAMANA (PATIALA), Apr 24: In a remarkable end to one of Punjab’s most unusual and prolonged protests, activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa was safely brought down from a 400-foot Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) tower on Friday morning, concluding his 560 day long agitation demanding stricter laws against sacrilege.
The 43 year old activist had climbed the tower on October 12, 2024, in Samana near Patiala, drawing widespread attention for his extreme form of protest. His descent marks a symbolic closure to a campaign that remained in public focus for over 18 months.
Mission Fulfilled: Activist Declares Success
As he reached the ground amid chants of “Sikh Jaikara” and “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal,” Khalsa declared his movement successful.
“We have won,” he said, attributing his safe return to divine blessings. He expressed gratitude to the Punjab government, particularly Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, for enacting stricter anti-sacrilege provisions.
Khalsa ended his protest following the notification of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which introduces stringent penalties for acts of sacrilege.
High-Risk Rescue Operation Executed
The operation to bring Khalsa down was conducted by a coordinated team of fire services, police, and civil administration. Officials deployed a specialised crane-lift system, safety belts, and a turntable ladder to ensure a secure descent from the towering structure.
According to fire officials, the rescue involved careful planning due to the extreme height. Khalsa was first guided onto an intermediate platform before being lowered safely to the ground. Medical personnel immediately shifted him to a hospital for a routine health check-up.
Life Atop the Tower: Endurance in Extreme Conditions
Khalsa’s protest was marked by extraordinary endurance. For over 18 months, he lived atop the tower in a makeshift tarpaulin shelter, braving harsh winters, intense summer heat, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Essential supplies, including food and water, were delivered using ropes, while basic needs were managed under severely constrained circumstances. His resilience turned the protest into a symbol of determination and drew significant public and media attention across Punjab.
Stronger Law Against Sacrilege Introduced
The newly notified legislation aims to address long standing demands for stricter action against sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Under the amended provisions:
Acts of sacrilege attract a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment, extendable up to 20 years, along with financial penalties.
Cases involving conspiracy to disturb communal harmony may lead to harsher punishment, including life imprisonment and substantial fines.
The law is intended to deter incidents of ‘beadbi’ and reinforce respect for religious sentiments in the state.
A Protest That Captured Public Attention
The unique nature of Khalsa’s protest perched atop a telecom tower for months captured statewide attention and sparked debates on methods of dissent and governance response.
As the Gurjeet Khalsa tower protest ends, it leaves behind a narrative of persistence, legislative response, and the complex intersection of faith, law, and activism in Punjab.