India, May 13 -- Since 2015, Punjab's courts tried 438 cases involving sacrilege, with only five resulting in the maximum three-year term for the crime, according to police data -- with the 1.14% success rate being proffered by the state as rationale for the controversial new sacrilege law that came into effect April 20.

The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state is locked in a tense standoff with the Sikh clergy over the new sacrilege law.

The data also shows that there were convictions in only 43 cases, a 9% conviction rate.

This data has become the primary justification for the government's controversial new legislation. Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. But, the new law has run ...