The Patiala administration has requested assistance from the Indian Army to safely bring down Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, a 43-year-old activist who has been protesting atop a 400-ft BSNL tower in Samana, Punjab, for 560 days. Khalsa climbed the tower on October 12, 2024, demanding stricter punishments for sacrilege incidents. Recently, the Punjab government enacted the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which introduces harsher penalties, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh (approximately $30,000 USD) for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. Patiala's deputy commissioner, Himanshu Aggarwal, expressed concerns about the safety of Khalsa's descent due to the height and duration of his protest, prompting the request for army support. The army is currently assessing the situation, and local officials are in contact with Khalsa to ensure a safe conclusion to the protest. Throughout his time on the tower, Khalsa has survived adverse weather conditions with the help of supporters who provided supplies using makeshift methods.