The question of why the Punjab government has not adequately punished those who committed sacrilege crimes, particularly the infamous 2015 incidents, reveals a complex web of legal, political, and investigative challenges that have plagued the state for nearly a decade. The sacrilege incidents of 2015 marked a watershed moment in Punjab’s recent history, involving the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and leading to massive protests, violent clashes, and the deaths of two protesters in police firing. These incidents caused widespread outrage among the Sikh community and became a defining political issue that continues to influence Punjab’s electoral landscape.
One of the primary reasons for the lack of justice has been the chaotic handling of investigations through systemic failures in investigation and prosecution. The cases were initially investigated by Punjab Police, then transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation, creating significant delays and procedural complications. The Punjab Assembly later passed a resolution withdrawing consent for the CBI to investigate these cases, citing lack of progress in the investigation. This jurisdictional back-and-forth created several problems including loss of crucial evidence and witness testimony over time, breakdown in investigation continuity, legal challenges over which agency had the authority to proceed, and bureaucratic delays that allowed cases to grow cold.
Until recently, Punjab lacked specific and stringent laws to deal with sacrilege cases, representing a major inadequacy in the legal framework. The existing provisions under the Indian Penal Code were considered insufficient by many, as they carried relatively light punishments that did not reflect the gravity of the offense in the eyes of the affected communities. This legal gap meant that even when perpetrators were identified, the available punishment mechanisms were viewed as inadequate deterrents, leading to public frustration and demands for stronger legislation.
The sacrilege issue became heavily politicized, with different parties using it as an electoral tool rather than focusing on genuine justice delivery. This political interference often influenced investigation priorities based on electoral calculations, created pressure to produce quick results rather than thorough investigations, led to scapegoating and diversionary tactics, and resulted in the targeting of political opponents rather than actual perpetrators. Punjab has seen multiple government changes since 2015, with each new administration bringing different approaches to handling these cases. This lack of continuity has disrupted ongoing investigations, led to changes in investigation teams and strategies, created confusion about government priorities, and resulted in conflicting public statements and policy positions.
The investigation process faced numerous challenges that further complicated the pursuit of justice. Many of the sacrilege incidents occurred in remote areas with limited surveillance and forensic capabilities, making it difficult to build strong cases against suspects due to lack of forensic evidence. Additionally, the delay in proper investigation meant that crucial physical evidence was lost or contaminated. Several witnesses reportedly faced intimidation or were reluctant to come forward due to fear of reprisals. The charged atmosphere surrounding these cases made it difficult for investigators to gather reliable testimony, further weakening the prosecution’s position.
Some suspects claimed they were tortured to extract confessions, which later proved to be unreliable, highlighting concerns about alleged torture and false confessions. The case of brothers Rupinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh, who were arrested in connection with the incidents, exemplified these concerns when they alleged police torture and were subsequently released. These issues raised serious questions about the investigation methods employed and the reliability of evidence gathered.
Recognizing the inadequacy of existing laws, the current Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has introduced significant legislative changes in 2025. The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture Bill, 2025, represents a groundbreaking legislative response that proposes life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege against religious scriptures, minimum punishment of 10 years imprisonment, heavy fines for offenders, and establishment of special courts for expedited trials. In October 2024, the Punjab government finally gave sanction to prosecute Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in three main sacrilege cases from 2015. This move came after years of legal battles and represents a significant step toward accountability.
Punjab’s justice system has long struggled with structural issues that have impacted the handling of these cases. The state’s judicial system has been dealing with case backlogs and understaffing, where complex cases like sacrilege incidents require significant judicial resources and time, which the system has struggled to provide efficiently. Until recently, Punjab lacked specialized units trained to handle sensitive religious crimes. The formation of Special Investigation Teams was a step in the right direction, but these came relatively late in the process.
For the Sikh community, sacrilege is not just a crime but an attack on their core religious beliefs and identity, creating enormous pressure on the government to deliver justice while also making the political cost of failure extremely high. The community’s expectations for severe punishment often exceed what the legal system can deliver under existing laws, creating a gap between public expectations and legal realities. This high emotional stake has intensified the scrutiny of government actions and the demand for accountability.
Looking toward the future, the success of the new anti-sacrilege bill will depend on its proper implementation, including training law enforcement officers on the specific provisions, setting up fast-track courts for quicker trials, and ensuring proper investigation protocols are followed. Punjab needs comprehensive reforms in its justice delivery system, including strengthening forensic capabilities, improving witness protection programs, enhancing police training on sensitive religious matters, and creating clear protocols for handling such cases.
The Punjab government’s struggle to punish sacrilege crimes stems from a combination of systemic failures, political interference, investigative challenges, and legal inadequacies. The 2015 incidents exposed deep flaws in the state’s justice system and highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms. While recent developments, including the new anti-sacrilege legislation and the sanction to prosecute high-profile accused individuals, represent progress, the true test will be in the implementation. The people of Punjab, particularly the affected communities, continue to await justice that has been delayed for nearly a decade.
The lessons from Punjab’s handling of sacrilege cases serve as a reminder that protecting religious sentiments requires not just strong laws but also efficient institutions, professional investigations, and a commitment to justice over political expediency. Only through such comprehensive reforms can Punjab hope to restore public faith in its justice system and prevent future incidents of this nature. The path forward requires sustained political will, institutional reforms, and a genuine commitment to delivering justice regardless of political considerations.