Punjab to Convene Special Session Photo Credit: indianexpress
Punjab’s AAP government is convening a special Assembly session on July 10–11 to introduce a historic law with death penalty for sacrilege, reflecting deep concern over rising acts of religious desecration, as reported by The Indian Express. With Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann openly endorsing capital punishment and seeking counsel on its legal viability, this move aims to address public outcry and long-standing emotional pain in the state.
Severe Punishment in Response to Sacrilegious Acts
The proposed law marks the third attempt in recent years to impose stricter penalties for sacrilege. Earlier bills in 2016 and 2018 had proposed life imprisonment but failed to secure presidential assent due to constitutional concerns. Drawing on the authority to legislate during concurrent list matters, the Punjab government plans to amend the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to define sacrificial offences against sacred scriptures—including Guru Granth Sahib, Quran, Bible, and Bhagavad Gita—as punishable by life imprisonment or death.
Emotional Context and Political Catalysts
The push for this tough stance is rooted in the emotionally charged Bargari sacrilege incident of 2015, which triggered widespread protests across Punjab after holy pages were desecrated. Public sentiment remains raw: a protester named Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been atop a mobile tower since October 2024, demanding the death penalty and warning that his deteriorating health could provoke unrest. According to senior officials, the special session is also aimed at preempting a law-and-order crisis should anything happen to him.
Lessons from Previous Attempts
Punjab’s earlier efforts to legislate against sacrilege were never finalized. In 2016, the SAD-BJP government proposed life sentences for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. In 2018, the Congress-led government expanded the bill to include four major faiths, but the amendments remained pending with the Centre. They were rejected over constitutional issues regarding secularism and equal protection. With the advent of BNS, the current government hopes that a better-aligned legal framework may pass constitutional muster.
Navigating Legal Complexities of Death Penalty
Central officials have advised caution, given constitutional concerns over the proportionality of capital punishment. Some AAP insiders suggest that it may be legally untenable, leaving life imprisonment as the fallback. The government has consulted legal experts to ensure the proposed legislation is “watertight”—aiming to balance public sentiment with legal clarity to withstand judicial scrutiny.
Risk of Misuse and Vigilante Justice
While supporters argue that robust laws will deter sacrilege, critics warn the legislation could embolden vigilante violence. Previous incidents—including lynchings in Punjab during 2021—have been fueled by unverified allegations of sacrilege. This has sparked fears that vague legal definitions and mob mentality could result in wrongful punishment without due process.
What the Special Session Aims to Achieve
Officials say the July session will include three goals: pass the bill with clarity on definitions, ensure inclusion of all major faith scriptures, and secure legal advice supporting legitimacy under BNS. Approval by the state cabinet is expected beforehand. With political pressure high, AAP leaders aim to demonstrate firm leadership and meet public fervour head-on.
What Comes Next
If passed by the Assembly, the bill will require the governor’s assent and ultimately presidential approval. Given that the earlier bills remain pending with the Centre, analysts anticipate fresh legal scrutiny. Opposition parties also caution that despite political urgency, safeguards are essential to prevent abuse and uphold constitutional balance.
Why This Law Matters
The proposed legislation is not just state policy—it reflects a deeper tension between protecting religious sentiments and maintaining constitutional safeguards. For many in Punjab, sacrilege remains a wound that hasn’t healed. The law’s success will rest not only on its emotional resonance but also on its legal precision and implementation integrity.
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