The Punjab government on Monday introduced a new law in the Vidhan Sabha to deal strictly with acts of sacrilege against holy scriptures. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann presented the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, which proposes a minimum punishment of 10 years in jail, going up to life imprisonment, for anyone found guilty of disrespecting or damaging sacred religious texts.
The Bill mentions scriptures like the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran, and Bible, including their parts such as Gutka Sahib and Pothis. Along with jail time, a fine ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh will also be imposed on the offender.
Before the Bill was introduced, the Punjab Cabinet had approved it in a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. The government said the law was necessary as repeated incidents of sacrilege have been reported in the state, threatening communal peace and harmony. The new Bill aims to send a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated.
The Bill also punishes those who encourage or plan such acts. If someone is found guilty of instigating or helping in any way to commit sacrilege—like burning, defacing, destroying, or damaging holy books—they can face three to five years of jail and a fine of up to ₹3 lakh.
Only police officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or above will be allowed to investigate these cases. The offences under this law will be serious in nature, cannot be settled out of court, and will be tried in a Sessions Court.
The Bill comes after the Centre had returned a similar 2018 amendment, asking the state to align its laws with the new Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, which replaced the Indian Penal Code. The move also follows protests by groups demanding stronger laws against sacrilege, including a demonstration at Samana by activists of the Sarab Dharam Beadbi Roko Kanoon.
After the Bill was introduced in the Assembly, discussion on it was postponed till Tuesday. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa requested the Speaker to allow more time for MLAs to go through the Bill properly, given its sensitive nature. He said legislators ideally need at least 48 hours to review such serious laws, especially when it will later require Presidential assent.
Once passed, the law will apply throughout Punjab and will come into effect on the date it is published in the official gazette. It will also override any previous laws related to sacrilege but will not affect any other existing laws.
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