Punjab Vidhan Sabha LIVE: Partap Bajwa points to 'loopholes' in anti-sacrilege Bill
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The Punjab Vidhan Sabha started its session on Tuesday with an obituary reference to world-renowned long-distance runner Fauja Singh (114), who died in an accident on Monday. Singh was hit by an unidentified vehicle around 3.30 pm while he was crossing the road at his native Beas village near Adampur.
A discussion on the anti-sacrilege Bill started soon thereafter.
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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had on Monday introduced the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, which proposes punishment ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege. The Assembly also passed the Punjab State Development Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at simplifying the tax compliance and improving collections. In addition, the Punjab Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill, 2025, was introduced with the need for the repeal of several outdated and obsolete laws within the state's legislative framework.
Punjab Assembly refers anti-sacrilege bill to select committee for wider consultation
July 15, 2025 2:19 pm
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Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously decided to refer the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025, to a Select Committee of MLAs so that they discuss the provisions of the Bill with all stakeholders. The decision was taken after a three-and-a-half hour debate on the bill, that was tabled in the House on Monday by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Wrong to equate Guru Granth Sahib with other scriptures: Bajwa
July 15, 2025 11:37 am
Leader of Opposition Partap Bajwa said in Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib was revered as the living Guru and it was wrong to equate it with other scriptures. He said amendments should be made to the proposed legislation.
Cheema-Khaira face-off
July 15, 2025 11:24 am
The session saw a face-off between Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira after the former mentioned Khaira’s father in the 1986 police firing incident of Nakodar in which four youth were killed. Khaira accused Cheema of getting personal when discussions on the sacrilege Bill were under way. The argument between the two leaders escalated, prompting the Speaker to intervene. He warned Khaira to stop as the latter kept arguing with Cheema.
Loopholes in anti-sacrilege Bill: Bajwa
July 15, 2025 10:20 am
During the discussion on the anti-sacrilege Bill, Leader of Opposition Partap Bajwa said there were some “loopholes” in the draft. He stated that there was no mention of the time-bound investigations in incidents of sacrilege, and there was no mention about action against officials or persons held responsible for sacrilege or those failing to act against the perpetrators of sacrilege.
Punjab Vidhan Sabha begins
July 15, 2025 10:17 am
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha started its session on Tuesday with an obituary reference to world-renowned long-distance runner Fauja Singh. Local Bodies Minister Ravjot Singh had urged the Speaker to begin the session by paying respect to veteran athlete who had died in an accident on Monday.
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