Punjab Assembly Passes Anti-Sacrilege Bill With Life Imprisonment Provision
The Punjab Assembly passed a new anti-sacrilege Bill with stringent provisions including non-bailable offences, punishment of up to life imprisonment, and fines of up to ₹25 lakh. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated the legislation ensures swift investigation of sacrilege incidents. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) welcomed the Bill and called for its effective implementation. The law addresses long-standing demands from Sikh religious bodies for stronger legal deterrence against desecration of religious scriptures.
Key Facts & Details
7 points- 1Punjab Assembly passes anti-sacrilege Bill — offences made non-bailable
- 2Maximum punishment: life imprisonment and fine up to ₹25 lakh
- 3SGPC calls for effective implementation of the new legislation
Deep Dive
- +Sacrilege of religious texts has been a politically sensitive issue in Punjab since the 2015 incidents
- +The Bill mandates swift investigation procedures for sacrilege cases
- +Punjab is governed by AAP under CM Bhagwant Mann since March 2022
- +The SGPC is the statutory body managing Sikh gurdwaras under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925
Exam Focus
Likely MCQ: What is the maximum punishment under Punjab's new anti-sacrilege law? → Answer: Life imprisonment
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Exam Relevance & Angle
Relevant for Polity & Governance section: State legislative actions, Bills & Acts, and religious governance bodies.
Target Exams
Background & Context
Sacrilege refers to the desecration or violation of sacred objects, places, or religious scriptures. In Punjab, sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of Sikhism) is an extremely sensitive issue that has triggered major political crises.
In 2015, multiple incidents of sacrilege occurred in Punjab's Faridkot district, leading to widespread protests and police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura, which became defining political events. The issue contributed to the defeat of the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government in 2017.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is an elected body established under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 to manage historic Sikh gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. It is headquartered in Amritsar.
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Must KnowTest Yourself
1 / 3Under the new Punjab anti-sacrilege law, what is the maximum fine that can be imposed?
This topic is important for:
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