Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Partap Bajwa questions AAP over inaction on sacrilege cases, calls for stronger provisions in bill
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, July 15, 2025 – On the concluding day of the ongoing Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa raised serious concerns over the state government’s handling of sacrilege cases while speaking on the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025.
Bajwa pointed out that the Bill presented by the AAP government is the same one passed during the Congress tenure, which had been pending at the President’s office for approval.
He said that the major sacrilege incidents came to light in 2015 during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government, yet no final challan has been filed by the Punjab Police in any of the cases so far.
Criticising the AAP leadership, Bajwa noted that AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap, who had long been vocal about justice in sacrilege cases, is ironically not present in the House today as he has been suspended by his own party.
Bajwa further alleged that the AAP government has "compromised with the Badals", citing the lack of concrete action in these sensitive cases.
Commenting on the contents of the Bill, Bajwa said that the Sri Guru Granth Sahib cannot be equated with other scriptures as it is regarded as a living Guru by the Sikh community.
He also pointed out that the act of theft has not been included under the definition of sacrilege, and demanded that it should be incorporated.
He recommended that the maximum time for completing investigations in sacrilege cases be limited to 45 days, and further suggested that investigating officers should face prosecution if they fail to conduct fair and timely probes.
Bajwa’s remarks added a sharp edge to the debate on the Bill, which aims to introduce life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege but has drawn criticism over delays and omissions in its enforcement framework.