Activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa was safely brought down from a BSNL telecom tower in Punjab’s Patiala district on Friday, marking the end of one of the country’s longest and most unusual protests that lasted 560 days.
Khalsa, a 43-year-old farmer and former serviceman from Kheri Nagaian village, had climbed the nearly 400-foot-high tower in Samana on October 12, 2024. He began his protest demanding a stringent law against sacrilege, particularly concerning the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. Over the next one and a half years, he refused to descend, turning his solitary act into a powerful symbol of religious and political demand in Punjab.
Living atop the tower under extreme conditions, Khalsa survived with minimal supplies, often sheltered only by a tarpaulin sheet. He endured harsh summers, cold winters, and health challenges, yet remained firm in his stance. His protest gradually gained widespread attention and support from various farmer groups and religious organisations, who held demonstrations on the ground to amplify his demand.
The turning point came after the Punjab government passed and notified the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which proposes stricter punishment, including life imprisonment, for acts of sacrilege. The legislation directly addressed Khalsa’s core demand, prompting him to agree to come down.
The operation to bring him down was carefully planned due to the height and risks involved. The Patiala district administration, along with the Army, police, and fire department, conducted preparatory drills before executing the rescue. Using technical equipment including a crane, officials safely evacuated Khalsa in an operation that reportedly took around 30 minutes.
As he descended, supporters gathered at the site raised religious slogans and celebrated the end of the prolonged protest. Khalsa, chanting “Waheguru,” expressed gratitude to his supporters and said his faith had kept him strong throughout the ordeal.
Following his descent, he was taken for a medical check-up, given the physical strain he had endured during the protest. Authorities described the operation as challenging but successful, highlighting coordination between multiple agencies.
Khalsa’s 560-day protest has left a significant impact on Punjab’s political landscape, drawing attention to the issue of sacrilege laws and demonstrating the lengths to which individuals may go to press their demands.
