CHANDIGARH, APRIL 13 — Following the unanimous passage of the anti-sacrilege Bill, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asserted that the Punjab government has sent a clear message of zero tolerance. Speaking to the House, Cheema declared that the amendment is an honest effort to rectify the “tainted history” of previous governments regarding the desecration of holy scriptures.
The Minister affirmed that the bill’s stringent penal provisions, including life terms, are designed to ensure that no individual can exploit legal loopholes after committing sacrilege. Cheema stated that the Bhagwant Mann administration has moved beyond the “SIT culture” of the Congress and SAD-BJP eras by filing actual challans in court.
“The Congress completely failed to take action against the culprits,” Minister Cheema affirmed. “They only formed Special Investigation Teams but never submitted the challans in court. Beadbi is now a non-bailable offence, and the Bhagwant Mann government has sent a clear message.”
Cheema also took the opportunity to challenge the BJP leadership, questioning why a similar law has not been enacted at the national level. He maintained that Punjab has now set a benchmark for the entire country. The Minister expressed confidence that the Governor would respect the public’s sentiments and provide immediate assent to the Bill, ensuring that the era of impunity for sacrilege finally concludes.
