Chandigarh, March 21: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Saturday that a special session of the Vidhan Sabha will be convened on April 13 to pass a robust new law against the sacrilege of religious texts.
Speaking after a meeting with members of the Sant Samaj and various religious heads in Amritsar, the Chief Minister stated that the legislation is timed to coincide with Khalsa Sajna Diwas and will be drafted in close coordination with legal experts and spiritual leaders.
The Chief Minister affirmed that the state government intends to amend the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, to create a more comprehensive legal framework. He declared that the proposed law will feature stringent penalties, including heavy financial fines and the potential confiscation of property belonging to the accused. He further noted that the new act will specifically address sacrilege carried out through digital content to meet modern challenges.
To ensure the law’s effectiveness, the administration plans to seek the counsel of prominent lawyers from across the country.
The Chief Minister maintained that the government respects the sentiments of the devotees and is committed to deterring any mischievous elements from committing such heinous crimes. He invited representatives from various Taksals, Nihang Singh groups, and Kar Seva groups to witness the historic proceedings in the Assembly.
During the discussions, the Chief Minister also noted that Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar would visit Samana to engage with Gurjeet Singh Khalsa. He stated that the government hopes to persuade him to end his current protest and participate in the upcoming special session.
Religious leaders present at the meeting expressed their gratitude for the government’s recent decision to grant holy city status to Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo. They maintained that expediting pending cases is essential to ensuring justice and preserving the sanctity of all religious scriptures.
