Chandigarh, July 14 -- In a decision aimed at ensuring stringent punishment for those committing sacrilege, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, today approved the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, proposing life imprisonment for desecration of sacred texts.
The legislation aims to address rising incidents in the past of sacrilege involving scriptures like the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Bible, Quran Sharif, and other revered granths. A spokesperson for the Chief Minister's Office said existing provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Sections 298-300) lack the severity required to serve as effective deterrents.
Under the new bill, desecration of any holy scri...