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Punjab Assembly Passes Bill Against Acts of Sacrilege; Life Imprisonment Provision

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The Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a bill with strict provisions against acts of sacrilege, including punishment of up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 25 lakh. The bill makes sacrilege offences non-bailable and mandates swift investigation. Chief Minister said the legislation aligns with PM Modi's vision while the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) called for effective implementation.

Key Facts & Details

10 points
  • 1
    Punjab Assembly passed anti-sacrilege bill with life imprisonment provision
  • 2
    Fine up to Rs 25 lakh under the new law
  • 3
    Offences made non-bailable
  • 4
    Law mandates swift probe into sacrilege incidents
  • 5
    SGPC called for effective implementation of the legislation
  • 6
    Sacrilege of religious texts — particularly the Guru Granth Sahib — has been a politically sensitive issue in Punjab

Deep Dive

  • +
    Sacrilege incidents have caused significant public unrest in Punjab historically
  • +
    The 2015 Bargari sacrilege incident led to major political consequences including government change
  • +
    SGPC is the apex body managing Sikh shrines and is headquartered at Amritsar
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    Non-bailable offences require the accused to seek bail from a court, not from police
Q

Exam Focus

Likely MCQ: What is the maximum punishment under Punjab's new anti-sacrilege law? Answer: Life imprisonment

Related Topics

Punjab legislationSacrilege lawCriminal lawSGPC

Exam Relevance & Angle

Polity & Governance: State legislation, criminal law, and religious freedom issues are tested in UPSC and SSC exams.

Target Exams

UPSC CSESSC CGLState PCSIBPS POSBI PO

Background & Context

Punjab has witnessed several sacrilege incidents targeting the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of Sikhism), causing widespread public outrage. The 2015 Bargari sacrilege became a defining political issue that contributed to the defeat of the Akali Dal government in 2017.

SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee), established in 1920, is the supreme body managing Sikh religious shrines across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
Punjab LegislatureSGPCSacrilegeCriminal LawGuru Granth Sahib

Test Yourself

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What is the maximum punishment under Punjab's anti-sacrilege bill passed in 2026?

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Punjab Assembly Passes Bill Against Acts of Sacrilege; Life Imprisonment Provision — Current Affairs 2026-04-28