Overview
- Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, speaking Thursday during the second leg of his four-day tour, accused the BJP of orchestrating twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar, a claim the state police countered by citing early evidence of Pakistan’s ISI involvement as the BJP served him a legal notice.
- The Shukrana Yatra, which began Wednesday at Anandpur Sahib, mixes prayers at major Sikh shrines with rallies and is set to conclude at Fatehgarh Sahib on May 9.
- The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 is now in force after April 20 notification and carries harsher penalties for sacrilege, including possible life imprisonment and heavy fines.
- Akal Takht’s acting jathedar has summoned Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan for discussions on Friday, while Mann says the law followed consultations with Sikh lawyers and questions the SGPC’s standing over long-delayed elections.
- Mann says his government will next bring a strict anti-drug law that would let authorities seize convicted smugglers’ property and curb easy bail, a shift that could reshape prosecutions and asset recovery in narcotics cases.