CHANDIGARH, July 15— The Punjab Vidhan Sabha opened its latest session on Tuesday by paying tribute to legendary long-distance runner Fauja Singh, who died at the age of 114 in a road accident near Adampur. Singh, revered globally for his athletic achievements well past the age of 100, was struck by an unidentified vehicle while crossing the road in his native Beas village on Monday afternoon.
Responding to a request by Local Bodies Minister Ravjot Singh, the Speaker began proceedings with an obituary reference to the centenarian athlete. Soon after, the House turned its attention to a series of legislative matters, beginning with a discussion on the contentious anti-sacrilege Bill introduced a day earlier.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had tabled the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, which proposes prison terms ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life for acts of sacrilege. The Bill reignited debate over religious sensitivities and legal scope.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa strongly objected to provisions in the proposed legislation. “In Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal, living Guru,” Bajwa said. “It is wrong to equate it with other scriptures. The government must amend the Bill accordingly.”
Bajwa also flagged what he called serious omissions in the draft law. “There is no provision for time-bound investigations, nor is there clarity on penal action against those responsible for sacrilege or officials who fail to act,” he said.
The session briefly turned chaotic during the debate when Finance Minister Harpal Cheema referenced Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s father in connection with the 1986 Nakodar firing, where four Sikh youth were killed. An agitated Khaira accused Cheema of making personal attacks during a sensitive discussion. As the argument escalated, the Speaker stepped in and warned Khaira to maintain decorum.
In other legislative business, the Assembly passed the Punjab State Development Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at streamlining tax compliance and improving revenue collection. The House also introduced the Punjab Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill, 2025, intended to eliminate outdated and redundant statutes from the state’s legal code.
With several high-stakes bills on the agenda, the session is expected to see continued political sparring over both legal substance and legislative process in the coming days.
