Navjot Singh Sidhu demands public execution of sacrilege accused

Punjab : After two lynching incidents in Punjab, Congress Punjab chief Navjot Singh Sidhu demanded public execution for those accused of desecrating religious texts.

Addressing a rally at Malerkotla on Sunday, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that such incidents hurts religious sentiments and demanded that the accused in such cases must be hanged publically.

He alleged a "conspiracy against one community" and that fundamentalist forces are trying to disturb peace in Punjab.

Navjot Singh Sidhu’s comments came at a time when many politicians are refraining from making a comment on the matter.

While most prominent political figures have strongly condemned the alleged sacrilege attempts and pointed to a conspiracy behind them, they have shied away from speaking out on the mob lynchings of the accused.

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, too, has slammed the the alleged sacrilege attempts, but chosen silence on the lynchings.

The Chief Minister yesterday visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where the first incident took place. His official handle tweeted that he has assured that the matter will be "thoroughly probed to unmask real conspirators". He also urged people to be "vigilant" and "take care of all religious places/institutions".

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