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2w ago

Punjab Assembly Sends Anti-Sacrilege Bill to Select Committee

A select committee must report back within six months, seeking feedback from public, religious bodies, lawmakers.

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Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressing the House on the last day of the special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh on Tuesday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)
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Chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann during the 3rd day of Punjab assembly session in Chandigarh on Monday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Overview

  • Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann introduced the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill 2025 on July 14 to target desecration of texts such as the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Bible and Quran.
  • The draft law proposes 10-year to life jail terms and fines up to ₹10 lakh for sacrilege, with three- to five-year sentences and fines up to ₹3 lakh for attempts or abetment.
  • It defines offences to include defacing, burning, tearing and other acts against holy scriptures and makes them cognizable, non-bailable crimes tried by sessions courts.
  • Lawmakers unanimously deferred debate to allow members adequate time to scrutinize the bill’s provisions before final discussion.
  • Earlier state amendments in 2016 and 2018 failed to win presidential assent, intensifying demands for robust state-level measures since the 2015 sacrilege protests.