Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the state government will introduce a stringent anti-drug law allowing for the confiscation of drug smugglers' properties. Mann criticised previous administrations for allegedly enabling the drug trade and vowed stricter penalties for sacrilege. He also accused the BJP of divisive politics and criticised the Akali Dal for alleged political manipulation of religious institutions.
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Friday announced sweeping organisational reforms, saying it will now follow the one family, one ticket principle at elections and ensure that half of its contestants are below 50.
There are clear signs that the party is re-starting its journey to relevance by going back to its core Panthic agenda, on the basis of which it was founded over a century ago, reports Sai Manish.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Badal, who has a 'Z+' security cover, was injured in a 'kirpan' (ceremonial dagger) attack by Jaspal Singh, around 60-62 years old, inside a gurdwara on the outskirts of Maharashtra's Nanded town on Thursday.
The new laws require even Sikhs to remove their turbans while being searched.
Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has sent a legal notice to a former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge. This action follows allegations that she sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also issued a notice to the Punjab government and police chief regarding the complaint, which has drawn criticism from opposition leaders like Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Bikram Singh Majithia. The NHRC has directed an inquiry into the matter, citing potential human rights violations.
Punjab Police conducted raids on the residence of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and others in connection with an incident where they allegedly stormed a police station and attempted to forcibly release a detainee. Police have also issued a lookout circular against Majithia to prevent him from leaving the country.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced it will contest the upcoming elections to 102 nagar councils and nine municipal corporations on the party symbol. The decision was made at a meeting presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party also addressed concerns about the anti-sacrilege law and the law and order situation in Punjab.
Former Punjab Police DSP Jaspal Singh, a life convict in the 1995 abduction and murder of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, has been reported untraceable at the address provided in his jail records after being released on interim bail in May 2023, sparking a political controversy.
The CBI conducted a late-night raid at the Punjab Vigilance office in Mohali, arresting several middlemen allegedly involved in collecting bribes for a senior officer. The raid was part of an investigation into a bribery allegation of around 20 lakh. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised the AAP government over the incident.
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday attacked Rahul Gandhi for his comments that the Congress government had tried to stop the 1984 riots in Delhi, alleging that the party had shielded individuals who were involved in the "carnage" against the Sikhs.
Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia says her husband Bikram Singh Majithia will pursue his case through the courts and has not fled the country, despite allegations and a lookout circular.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has criticised the AAP government in Punjab, alleging a rise in organised crime and a deteriorating law and order situation.
Authorities used teargas and cane charge to restore order after a clash among inmates at Kapurthala jail. The incident occurred late Saturday night, with some inmates setting clothes on fire. The situation is now under control, with no injuries reported among jail staff.
A central government committee has upheld the ban on the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film Satluj, citing concerns over India's sovereignty and integrity, sparking political debate in Punjab.
Three people have been arrested for the attack.
Opposition parties in Punjab have criticised the AAP government following the killing of a police officer and a jail incident, alleging a breakdown of law and order in the state.
Amid the video row, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday rejected allegations that the forensic reports that gave a clean chit to him were fabricated and lashed out at the opposition parties, alleging that they have joined hands to defame him.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging a decline in law and order and accusing them of using financial schemes to sway voters ahead of elections.
The murder of a Jalandhar-based RTI activist has sparked outrage and political condemnation in Punjab, with opposition parties criticising the AAP government's handling of law and order.
A video of an inmate from Hoshiarpur Central Jail alleging harassment and demanding money from staff has gone viral, leading to an official inquiry and a political backlash against the Punjab government.
Major bills, including those on women's reservation, delimitation, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), face an uncertain future in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament due to persistent opposition protests and a lack of consensus.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that all Sikh MLAs and cabinet ministers will appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 regarding the anti-sacrilege law. This decision follows a closed-door meeting in Amritsar, where Mann stated that representatives would present their views in writing. The Akal Takht had summoned Sikh legislators and ministers over objections to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which it claims was enacted without consulting the Sikh Panth. Mann also addressed accusations of challenging the Akal Takht's authority and criticised political appointees for one-sided decisions.
The action came after Jagir Kaur failed to appear before the party's disciplinary committee, which had asked to explain her decision of contesting the election.
Newly appointed Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon has outlined his plans to strengthen the party in the state, aiming for a majority in the 2027 assembly elections. He criticised the ruling AAP government and promised to address key issues such as crop diversification and law and order.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has criticised the Bhagwant Mann government, alleging that the arrest of AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra is a 'stage-managed show' designed to divert attention from the suicide of a warehousing corporation official.
A Station House Officer (SHO) in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, has been shifted to Police Lines following a fact-finding inquiry initiated by Punjab Police. This action comes after news reports linked the officer to an extortion-related investigation by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under "Operation Hard Ball," targeting India-based organised crime syndicates. The US indictment alleges the officer's involvement in a $400,000 extortion scheme using false murder charges, drawing significant political criticism.
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday termed as "full of hypocrisy" Rahul Gandhi's remarks that the Congress government tried to stop the anti-Sikh riots and accused it of shielding individuals involved in the "carnage" and delaying deployment the army.
Opposition parties in Punjab, including SAD and Congress, have criticised the AAP government for allegedly misusing state funds by painting state-owned buses in the colours associated with the Aam Aadmi Party.
As the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Punjab government pitched for a pardon for him, Balwant Singh Rajoana, who has been convicted for the assassination of former chief minister Beant Singh, today described Akali leaders as "cheaters" and asked them not to seek clemency for him.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly refuted the 'Guru Dokhi' edict issued by the Sikh clergy, asserting that the controversial video at the heart of the dispute is not him and accusing religious bodies of political manipulation.
With Uttar Pradesh assembly elections approaching, an analyst suggests the BJP is in a strong position. Meanwhile, Punjab's political landscape is described as fluid with mixed public satisfaction towards the ruling AAP.
Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, has died at the age of 79. Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed their condolences.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned following allegations related to the suicide of a Warehouse Corporation district manager. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered a probe into the matter.
Recent BJP organisational moves and Rajya Sabha nominations have sparked speculation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may soon undertake a ministerial reshuffle.
The BJP team under the new national president Nitin Nabin, who took charge in January, is expected to be announced within this month, with sources suggesting that some holding positions in the government may move to the party.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the state government will introduce an anti-drug law allowing for the confiscation of drug smugglers' properties. Mann criticised previous administrations for enabling drug trafficking and highlighted the enactment of an anti-sacrilege law, promising stricter measures against sacrilege and drug-related offences.
They handed the apology letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh at the Akal Takht Secretariat at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Akal Takht is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has lauded the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for its effective management of water and power resources, catering to the needs of partner states. The event marked 50 years of the BBMB.
A local Aam Aadmi Party leader was shot at in Punjab's Fazilka district with the ruling party and MLA Jagdeep Kamboj accusing a leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal of opening the fire.
