AI Generated Summary
- The Punjab Assembly has constituted a 15-member select committee to seek public opinion on the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025, a legislation that proposes stringent punishment for acts of sacrilege.
- In a separate development, Mann inaugurated eight new libraries in Barnala district, built at a cost of ₹2.
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing a gathering at Sehna village in Barnala district, said the Bill aims to ensure “exemplary punishment” for those guilty of sacrilege.
The Punjab Assembly has constituted a 15-member select committee to seek public opinion on the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025, a legislation that proposes stringent punishment for acts of sacrilege.
The committee, announced by Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, will be led by senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator and former Local Government Minister Inderbir Singh Nijjar. It includes two Congress MLAs—Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Balwinder Singh—along with one representative each from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jangi Lal Mahajan, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Manpreet Singh Ayali.
The remaining 10 members are from the ruling AAP: Ajay Gupta, Amandeep Kaur, Inderjit Kaur Mann, Baljinder Kaur, Nina Mittal, Jagdeep Kamboj, Budh Ram, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Madan Bagga, and Mohammad Jamil-ur-Rehman.
The panel has been tasked with consulting religious leaders, institutions, and the public, and must submit its recommendations within six months.
Stringent Punishments Proposed
The Bill, commonly referred to as the “anti-sacrilege Bill,” was referred to the committee on July 15. It prescribes a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, which may extend to life imprisonment, for desecrating sacred texts, including the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and Bible. Offenders will also face fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
The offences are classified as cognisable and non-compoundable, to be tried exclusively by a sessions court. Only police officers of DSP rank or higher will be permitted to investigate such cases.
Additionally, those abetting sacrilege through conspiracy or instigation will face three to five years in prison and fines of up to ₹3 lakh.
CM Mann Vows Exemplary Action
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing a gathering at Sehna village in Barnala district, said the Bill aims to ensure “exemplary punishment” for those guilty of sacrilege. Taking a swipe at previous governments, he alleged that those involved in the 2015 sacrilege incidents were “shielded” by the then administration.
“Stringent punishment is necessary to deter such heinous crimes,” Mann said, reaffirming his government’s commitment to preserving religious sanctity.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of the state’s anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashiyan Virudh, claiming that several politically influential figures were now behind bars.
In a separate development, Mann inaugurated eight new libraries in Barnala district, built at a cost of ₹2.8 crore, spread across villages including Sehna, Dhaula, Talwandi, Majhuke, Kutba, Deewana, Wajidke Kalan, and Thulliwal.
