Punjab’s proposed anti-sacrilege bill encountered an early roadblock on Tuesday, as the state assembly unanimously decided to refer the legislation, formally known as the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptural Texts Bill, 2025, to a select committee. According to NDTV, Kultar Singh Sandhwan will head this panel, which will gather input from political parties, religious leaders, civil society, and the public. The committee is expected to submit its report within six months.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, while introducing the bill, described it as a vital legislative step following repeated desecration incidents involving the Guru Granth Sahib, the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran, and the Bible. The proposed law includes life imprisonment and fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh for actual desecration. Abetment or conspiracy could attract jail terms of three to five years, along with a fine of up to ₹3 lakh. However, Mann emphasized that the bill should not be rushed and requires comprehensive stakeholder consultation.
Opposition parties, including the BJP and Congress, raised concerns over the lack of prior consultation with religious institutions and legal experts before the bill was drafted. They stressed that sensitive legislation like this demands broader consensus and careful examination. Congress leaders recalled that earlier versions of similar legislation, introduced in 2016 and 2018, were rejected by the Centre for not aligning with constitutional principles.
The select committee has been given six months to present its recommendations. Though the Chief Minister initially proposed a four-month timeline, Speaker Sandhwan clarified that six months is the standard period. Opposition leaders welcomed the extension, viewing it as essential for thorough scrutiny; however, some critics have alleged that the government is attempting to delay the bill’s passage for political convenience.
This is not the first time Punjab has attempted to legislate against sacrilege. Previous efforts, including the Punjab Amendment Bills of 2016 and 2018, failed to gain presidential assent. Those versions sought to amend the Indian Penal Code, whereas the current bill is a standalone state law: a move designed to avoid similar roadblocks.
Legal experts and civil rights groups have expressed reservations about the bill’s broad language and the potential for misuse. They argue that without precise definitions and proper safeguards, the law could be misapplied or weaponized. To mitigate such concerns, the bill allows only police officers of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank or higher to conduct investigations. It also declares offences under this law to be cognizable and non-compoundable: emphasizing the state’s commitment to treating such crimes with utmost seriousness.
Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of using the bill as a distraction from its failure to deliver justice in previous sacrilege cases. He pointed to the lack of convictions despite multiple Special Investigation Teams (SITs) being formed over the years. The Shiromani Akali Dal also criticized the AAP and Congress; alleging they have both politicized sacrilege without offering real solutions.
Despite the criticisms, Chief Minister Mann defended the bill as a necessary step to protect the religious sentiments of all communities in Punjab. He said that repeated sacrilege incidents have deeply hurt people’s emotions, and that the state needs a strong legal mechanism to respond swiftly and justly.
As the select committee begins its work, it is expected to engage with a wide range of stakeholders: from religious scholars to legal professionals and community organizations. The goal is to craft a version of the bill that balances religious sensitivity with constitutional safeguards. Once the committee submits its report, the bill will be reintroduced in the assembly for debate and potential passage.
This development has reignited an important dialogue in Punjab: how to uphold the sanctity of sacred texts while ensuring that legislation does not compromise civil liberties or democratic rights. The next six months will be crucial in determining whether the anti-sacrilege bill can achieve that balance.
Photo Credit: NDTV
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