Chandigarh, July 11 —The Punjab Government will introduce its draft Bill on sacrilege in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday, aiming to impose stricter punishment for religious desecration, though the legislation will not be enacted immediately. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the move is intended to open the proposal for broad consultation before any final law is passed.
“This is a significant legal shift with long-term impact. We don’t want to rush it through without understanding all implications,” Mann said during the ongoing special session of the Punjab Assembly. “We’ve seen laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act being misused. I want a fool-proof Act that cannot be misinterpreted or weaponised.”
The special two-day session, which began today, may be extended till Tuesday, with the Business Advisory Committee recommending a two-day extension. A motion for the same will be placed before the House on Friday.
The draft legislation, being given final shape, is expected to include a prison term of up to 10 years for acts of sacrilege. Though Mann had earlier proposed capital punishment for such offences, sources indicate that legal scrutiny is underway to ensure compliance with the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which already covers sacrilege under Sections 298 and 299.
“We are not simply relying on existing BNS provisions,” Mann clarified. “Instead, we are crafting our own law for Punjab, which will better reflect the sentiments of the people here.”
The chief minister said the draft Bill will be opened to feedback from lawmakers, religious organisations, and the general public. A consultative committee is also being formed to hold deliberations with stakeholders. “Only after comprehensive discussions will we enact the law,” he said.
In addition to the sacrilege Bill, the Mann government will also move a resolution to formally withdraw the consent granted by the previous Congress-led government under Capt Amarinder Singh to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for the deployment of central security forces in the state.
The developments underscore the Mann administration’s attempt to assert state legislative authority while managing sensitive religious and federal concerns through a consultative approach.
