Anti-sacrilege bill introduced in Punjab Assembly; life term, Rs 10 lakh fine proposed

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann 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.

Though the Bill was tabled in the Vidhan Sabha in the afternoon, discussion on it has been deferred till Tuesday morning. Following the debate, the Bill is expected to be referred to a Select Committee for discussions with all stakeholders.

The holy scriptures referred to in the Act include the Guru Granth Sahib or its extracts—such as Pothis and Gutka Sahib—as well as the Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and Bible.

Individuals convicted under the proposed law will also be liable to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh, which may be extended to Rs 10 lakh. Offences under this law will be cognizable, non-compoundable, and will be tried by a Sessions Court. Only police officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and above will be authorised to investigate such cases.

The new legislation has been drafted after the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2018—passed by the state Assembly—was referred back to the state government by the Centre. The Union Government noted that the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) had replaced the IPC, and any amendments needed to align with the provisions of the new code.

The move also follows protests by a group of activists under the Sarab Dharam Beadbi Roko Kanoon, who have been agitating at Samana, demanding stricter punishment for sacrilegious offences.

According to the government, repeated attempts have been made to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab by committing sacrilege against these scriptures. The new Bill, it said, is meant to send a strong and exemplary message through harsh punishment.

The Bill also includes punishment for abetment of sacrilege. Anyone who instigates or conspires to commit acts like damaging, destroying, defacing, decolouring, defiling, decomposing, burning, breaking or treating of any holy scripture, or its part, will face three to five years in jail, along with a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh.

The proposed Act was first discussed and approved in a meeting of the Punjab Council of Ministers on Monday morning, chaired by CM Bhagwant Mann. It was tabled in the Vidhan Sabha after Cabinet clearance.

Just before the Bill was introduced, the Assembly was adjourned for an hour. During this break, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan called representatives of all parties to inform them about the Bill’s introduction.

Once the House reconvened, CM Bhagwant Mann presented the Bill.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said that MLAs needed adequate time to review the provisions of the Bill, given the seriousness of the matter.

“I request you to discuss this on Tuesday. Legislators should ideally get 48 hours to study any Bill.  This Bill will have to get the Presidential assent later, so it is important that all party MLAs are well prepared for discussing the Bill,” he said.

Once passed, the Act will extend to the entire state of Punjab and will come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. The Act will override other enactments and will not be in derogation of existing laws in force.