'Sacrilege accused should be hanged in public': Navjot Singh Sidhu

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has demanded public execution for those indulging in acts of desecrating religious texts. Addressing a rally at Malerkotla on Sunday, Sidhu said that such cases hurt people's sentiments and alleged that conspiracy is being hatched to disrupt peace in the state ahead of polls.

"Conspiracy going on to disrupt Punjab's peace. Wherever sacrilege takes place, be it of Quran Sharif or Bhagavad Gita or Guru Granth Sahib, they (guilty) should be hanged in public and given the biggest Constitutional punishment..." he said.

Sidhu added that Punjab is built on strong foundation of oneness and universal brotherhood laid down by Guru Sahib. No divisive forces can destroy strong social fabric of Punjabi community.

Earlier on Saturday, a man was killed for an alleged sacrilege bid at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. On Sunday, another unidentified person was beaten to death by a mob after being accused of 'disrespecting' the Sikh religious flag at a gurdwara in Nizampur village of Kapurthala.

According to police, villagers and members of Sikh organisations clashed with police personnel, who tried to save the man, leaving three cops, including a station house officer. Police said there was 'no visible sign' of sacrilege incident having taken place at the gurdwara, which is located on the Kapurthala-Subhnapur road, according to a PTI report.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged sacrilege attempt at the Golden Temple on Saturday.