Politics has intensified in Punjab regarding sacrilege of religious texts. The Aam Aadmi Party government has called a special session of the Assembly on April 13, in which there are preparations to bring strict laws against those who disrespect Guru Granth Sahib. The government says that there was a demand for strictness on this issue for a long time, which will now be implemented through law.
The old law will be amended
Actually, the government is going to amend the Jagat Guru Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act 2008 made in 2008. The current law only has rules related to printing and maintenance and for violation, there is a maximum punishment of two years or a fine of up to Rs 50,000.
Now the government wants to change it and add a provision for strict punishment for sacrilege. It is believed that after the new amendment, the punishment may become quite stringent, so that such cases can be curbed.
Bharatiya Janata Party has put forward a separate demand on this issue. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan He has written a letter saying that a law should be made against sacrilege not only of Guru Granth Sahib but also of religious texts of other religions. He has also demanded that the draft of the amendment bill being brought should first be given to all the MLAs so that it can be discussed properly.
Questions raised on old bill also
BJP has also raised the issue of the Punjab Prevention of Crimes against Holy Scripture Bill, introduced on July 14, 2025. This bill was sent to the Select Committee, which was to submit its report within 6 months.
Now BJP says that the deadline has passed, but it is not yet clear whether the committee has submitted its report or not. Questions are being raised on the government regarding this.
BJP leader Tarun Chugh has said that sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib should be considered a crime equal to murder and should be punished accordingly. He also said that the new law should also include desecration of sacred statues and scriptures of other religions. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also supported this demand and said that the scriptures of all religions are equal and there should be equal punishment for insulting them.
Political turmoil intensifies before elections
Assembly elections are to be held in Punjab next year and in such a situation, politics regarding this issue has also intensified. On one hand, Aam Aadmi Party wants to strengthen its hold by bringing strict laws on this sensitive issue related to the Sikh community, while BJP is trying to give the message of taking all religions together.