Chandigarh | A significant development has resurfaced regarding Punjab’s long-pending legislation aimed at curbing sacrilege incidents, as official correspondence and documents related to The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 and The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 have come into focus.
According to a letter issued by former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Punjab government had strongly advocated for stricter punishment against acts of sacrilege involving religious texts. The letter highlights growing concerns in the state over repeated incidents involving desecration of holy scriptures, particularly the Guru Granth Sahib, which is revered by Sikhs as a living Guru rather than merely a religious book.
The communication points out that existing provisions under Sections 295 and 295-A of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribe punishment of up to three years, were deemed inadequate by the state government to address the gravity of such offences. In response, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed amendments in 2018 proposing life imprisonment for individuals found guilty of causing damage or sacrilege to major religious texts, including the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and Bible, with intent to hurt religious sentiments.
The accompanying “Statement of Objects and Reasons,” issued during the tenure of then Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, underlines that the legislation was aimed at preserving communal harmony and deterring elements attempting to disturb peace in the state. It emphasized the government’s commitment to take stringent action against those involved in such acts.
While the Punjab Governor had granted assent to the Bills in September 2018, the documents reveal that they have remained pending for approval from the President of India since October 2018. This prolonged delay has raised questions about the status and future of the legislation, especially amid ongoing political debates and public sentiment in Punjab regarding sacrilege incidents.
The issue continues to hold strong emotional and political significance in the state, with various stakeholders urging the central government to take a decisive stand. The matter is likely to regain attention in the coming days as political leaders and civil society groups push for clarity and action on the pending Bills.