Legislation soon on harsher punishment for sacrilege of holy granths: CM

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced that the state government would introduce a legislation to ensure harsher punishment for acts of sacrilege against holy granths.

Chairing a meeting of officials and representatives of the Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha at his official residence, the Chief Minister said Punjab was a sacred land of great Gurus, saints and seers who had shown the path of mutual love and tolerance. He emphasised that it is was matter of immense pride that Punjab stood as a unique blend of socialism and secularism, as well as an epitome of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood.

Mann reiterated that the state government was firmly committed to ensuring exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of sacrilege incidents.

He stated that the government would consult leading legal experts to ensure that a robust state legislation was enacted — one that prevented offenders from evading strict consequences, including the possibility of capital punishment for such heinous crimes. He expressed concern over existing legal loopholes that allowed individuals guilty of such unpardonable acts to walk free, calling it completely unwarranted and unacceptable.

Reaffirming his government’s commitment to justice, he stated that every person involved in these sacrilegious acts, either directly or indirectly, would face exemplary punishment.

The CM said it was the bounden duty of the state government to ensure that these dreaded criminals were held accountable for their actions. He said the state government would consult all stakeholders, including religious organisations, in drafting the legislation. Their views, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, would be duly incorporated in the law.

He highlighted that while the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provided clear provisions regarding religious places, it remained silent on holy granths. However, he said that as the subject fell under the Concurrent List, the state had the authority to enact such legislation and legal opinions would be sought accordingly. He said this process would be completed shortly to assuage the sentiments of the general public and very soon, a Cabinet meeting would be convened on the issue.

Punjab