CHANDIGARH, July 15 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday unanimously referred the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025, to a Select Committee for broader consultation, following a prolonged and emotionally charged debate in the House.
The Bill, tabled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann earlier in the day, seeks to impose stringent penalties for acts of sacrilege against sacred texts, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹10 lakh. However, lawmakers agreed that the sensitive nature of the proposed law warranted further deliberation with all stakeholders.
Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan announced that the Select Committee, comprising MLAs, will solicit public input and present its findings within six months. “This is a deeply emotive issue. The committee will ensure the legislation is shaped through inclusive consultation,” Sandhwan said. Chief Minister Mann had initially proposed a four-month deadline, but the House extended the timeline to allow more space for deliberation.
The Bill proposes a minimum punishment of 10 years in prison, which may extend to life, for anyone convicted of sacrilege against holy scriptures such as the Guru Granth Sahib (including Pothis and Gutka Sahib), the Bhagavad Gita, the Quran, and the Bible.
Under the proposed law, offences will be cognizable, non-compoundable, and triable only in a Sessions Court. Only a police officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent (DSP) or above will be authorized to investigate such cases. The Bill also specifies that those who abet such crimes—whether through instigation or as part of a conspiracy—could face a prison term of three to five years and fines of up to ₹3 lakh.
Once enacted, the legislation will apply throughout Punjab and take effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. It is designed to override any existing enactments that may contradict its provisions.
The referral to the Select Committee postpones the Bill’s passage but signals a cautious legislative approach in handling a matter that has triggered social and political unrest in the past.
