On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann introduced a new law in the state Assembly to stop and punish acts of disrespect against holy scriptures. The proposed law is called the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025.
This new Bill says that anyone who disrespects holy books could be punished with at least 10 years in jail, and even up to life imprisonment. They may also have to pay a fine between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh.
The holy books protected under this law include:
Guru Granth Sahib (including Pothis and Gutka Sahib)
Bhagavad Gita
Quran
Bible
The Bill also says that people who help or plan such acts will be punished too. They can get 3 to 5 years in jail and a fine of up to ₹3 lakh.
Only senior police officers (DSP rank or above) will be allowed to investigate these cases. These crimes will be taken very seriously — they cannot be taken back or settled out of court, and they will be handled by a Sessions Court.
The Punjab Cabinet approved the Bill earlier in the morning. After that, it was introduced in the Assembly. However, the discussion on the Bill was delayed till Tuesday.
Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa said that MLAs should be given time to study the Bill properly before the discussion. He suggested a 48-hour review time.
This law was made after the earlier 2018 law was sent back by the Centre, as the Indian Penal Code had been replaced by the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita. Also, many people in Punjab have been protesting and asking for stronger punishment for sacrilege.
The government said that some people have tried to disturb peace in Punjab by hurting religious feelings. This new law is meant to stop such acts and give strict punishment.
If passed, the law will apply across Punjab and will start working once it is published in the official government record.
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