Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Bill to ensure exemplary punishment for sacrilege brought in the interest of future generations: CM Mann
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, July 15, 2025 –While speaking on the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized the emotional toll that sacrilege incidents have taken on society and underscored the necessity of the proposed legislation.
“Whenever incidents of sacrilege occurred, it pierced our hearts. But until now, there was no concrete law to deal with it effectively. The guilty would serve minimal sentences and walk free,” he said.
He asserted that the new Bill was essential to ensure exemplary punishment for those who commit sacrilege against any religious scripture.
“We have brought this Bill so that no one dares to insult any holy scripture again. We derive our values from these scriptures, and future generations will also learn from them,” Mann added.
The Chief Minister said the Bill is aimed at protecting communal harmony and upholding the sanctity of all religions.
Calling for wider consultation, CM Mann further said, “If our God is not safe in our own home, we must seriously reflect on it. This Bill should be sent to a Select Committee so that suggestions can be taken from all religious organizations and the general public. A time frame of three to four months should be fixed, and all suggestions should be incorporated into the Bill, including those from opposition parties.”
He urged for consensus and collective inputs to ensure that the law is strong, inclusive, and respectful of all faiths.