AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava Sentenced to Seven Years in 2023 Assault and Extortion Case; Party Announces Statewide Protests
A Sessions Court in Narmada district has convicted AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava, his wife, and seven others in a case involving the alleged assault of Forest Department officials and extortion in 2023. The court sentenced all the accused to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of ₹25,000 on each. The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge A.V. Hirpara. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has opposed the verdict. Gopal Rai, the party’s Gujarat in-charge, stated that AAP would organize support marches across the state starting June 26 to protest the decision. He said that party workers would stage demonstrations in every district to raise their voices in support of Chaitar Vasava. Gopal Rai alleged that the BJP is unsettled by Vasava’s growing popularity and that he has been targeted for political reasons. He claimed that the case is part of a conspiracy and that such politics cannot be accepted in a democracy. Rai added that, ultimately, the public would decide the truth. AAP has also made it clear that it will pursue all available legal avenues in this matter. Earlier, party national convener Arvind Kejriwal had also expressed support for Vasava, stating that the charges against him were false and that he had been politically framed due to his rising influence within the tribal community.
‘Guru Dokhi’ Tag on Bhagwant Mann: Congress & BJP Demand Punjab CM’s Resignation
A political controversy has erupted following a decision by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In a significant development concerning Punjab politics and the Sikh community, the Akal Takht issued a significant verdict regarding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. On Monday, June 15th, the Akal Takht declared Mann “Guru Dokhi” and “anti-Khalsa Panth,” sparking heated exchanges of words within political circles. Following the Akal Takht’s decision, opposition parties Congress and BJP have demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Punjab Pradesh Congress President Raja Wading has urged the Chief Minister to break his silence on these allegations and resign. According to a report by news agency PTI, the Akal Takht has taken this decision in connection with an alleged objectionable video regarding which the Chief Minister has been accused of lying. The Akal Takht is considered the highest religious body of the Sikhs. The Akal Takht has summoned all Sikh MLAs from Punjab, regardless of their political affiliation, and the Punjab Cabinet to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29th. This summons has been issued in connection with the anti-sacrilege law enacted by the state government. Regarding the anti-sacrilege law, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht stated that all Sikh MLAs and the Punjab Cabinet must appear before the Akal Takht on June 29th regarding the “Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.” Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh issued this order from the Akal Takht platform after a meeting of the “5 Singh Sahibans” in Amritsar. Bhagwant Mann is also accused of making objectionable comments about the “Gurudwara donation box” and insulting Sikh Gurus. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj claimed that a video circulating on social media showing a man resembling Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been authenticated by two forensic labs. He stated that the video has not been tampered with or created using artificial intelligence (AI). He stated that in January, the Akal Takht Secretariat had written to the Chief Minister regarding an investigation into the video. At that time, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself stated that he was ready for a forensic examination of the video. Giani Kuldeep Singh stated that Bhagwant Mann lied to the Akal Takht regarding the video. He added that the “five Sikh Sahibans” unanimously declared the Chief Minister to be “Guru Dokhi” and “anti-Khalsa Panth.”
Punjab’s Anti-Sacrilege Law Sparks Clash Between AAP Government and Akal Takht
The backdrop of Punjab’s new anti-sacrilege law lies in the sacrilege incidents of 2015, when a Bir (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib was stolen from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala, and its torn pages were subsequently found in Bargari. The SAD-BJP government failed to resolve this case, triggering massive public outrage that ultimately led to its defeat in the 2017 elections. Subsequently, followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim were arrested, but the investigation could not be brought to a conclusion. Ahead of the 2022 elections, the AAP promised to deliver justice within 24 hours and projected IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh as the face of this campaign; however, he was later sidelined and expelled from the party.