Chandigarh, October 14-Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today strongly condemned the heinous sacrilege of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji at Bargari village in Faridkot district and ordered a judicial inquiry by a high court judge to probe the incident and its aftermath besides assuring Punjabis that exemplary punishment would be awarded to the perpetrators of this dastardly act. In a statement here, the Chief Minister described the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji as a deep rooted conspiracy aimed at inciting communal tension and destabilizing the hard won peace in Punjab. He appealed to the people to be vigilant against such elements and keep calm despite the grave provocation. The Chief Minister assured the people of Punjab that all nefarious elements involved in this heinous crime against humanity would be brought to book and awarded exemplary punishment. He directed State police Chief to constitute a SIT under ADGP (Crime) IPS Sahota along with DIG Bathinda Range RS Khattra and DIG Ferozepur Range Amar Singh Chahal to track down and culprits immediately. Expressing deep anguish over this unpardonable act, the Chief Minister said Punjab and its people had passed through a harrowing time during a decade of turbulence and his government would not let the State go back to the dark days again at any cost. Mr. Badal also exhorted Punjabis to beware of canards and false propaganda spread by the anti-social elements through social media aimed at vitiating the congenial atmosphere of peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the state to divide the society on sectarian lines. "I humbly urge all of you to keep restraint in this hour of crisis by displaying the ethos of religious tolerance, unity and brotherhood as preached by our great Gurus, saints and seers," he added.
