Beseeching the Sky: Gurjeet Singh Khalsa's Tower Protest

The Patiala district authorities have reached out to the Army for technical aid to safely rescue activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, who has been protesting atop a 400-foot tower for over 550 days. Khalsa's protest seeks stringent penalties for acts of sacrilege, a demand addressed by Punjab's newly amended anti-sacrilege law.

This unique protest began on October 12, 2024, garnering widespread attention. The Punjab government recently passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, intensifying punishments for sacrilege. Subsequently, Khalsa plans to descend on April 24, after the bill received legislative and gubernatorial approval.

Following the law's amendment, local authorities requested the Army's help due to the tower's height, focusing on Khalsa's safe descent. Additional Deputy Commissioner Damanjit Singh Mann stressed the operation's sensitivity, noting that the Army's expert assessment and resources are crucial for a secure resolution to the prolonged protest.