The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has directed its criticism at the Akali Dal and Congress after Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria granted approval to the anti-sacrilege Bill. This approval, given on Sunday, has been interpreted by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema as a setback to the opposition’s alleged misleading campaigns. Cheema accused the opposing parties of consistently enacting weak sacrilege laws that safeguarded their own interests, rather than supporting robust legislation against the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib.

In a video statement, Cheema attacked the opposition for their supposed long-standing collusion, claiming they aimed to prevent the passage of any stringent laws concerning sacrilege. The Bill, which had been unanimously approved by the Punjab Assembly on April 13, aims to impose severe penalties for any acts of sacrilege directed towards Sikhism’s sacred scripture.

Details of the New Legislation

The newly established law prescribes life imprisonment and hefty fines that can reach up to Rs 25 lakh for acts deemed sacrilegious against the Guru Granth Sahib. It also outlines a range of punishments for cases involving criminal conspiracies intended to disrupt peace or communal harmony, with penalties ranging from ten years to life imprisonment, paired with fines from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.

In instances where sacrilege is attempted rather than completed, punishments include jail terms ranging from three to five years and fines between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. The legislation takes a comprehensive approach, defining acts of sacrilege broadly as any damage, defacement, burning, tearing, or theft of the scripture, as well as any expression—whether spoken, written, symbolic, or electronic—that offends religious sentiments.

Furthermore, the Bill stipulates that investigations into sacrilege cases should only be conducted by police officers at a rank of deputy superintendent or assistant commissioner. Another key provision of the law is the assignment of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee with the task of maintaining a centralised register for all ‘Saroops’ of the Guru Granth Sahib, which will encompass details such as unique identification numbers and information regarding printing, distribution, and storage.

Challenges and Historical Context

The issue of sacrilege is highly sensitive in Punjab, prompting persistent calls for more stringent legal measures. Previous initiatives by the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party government in 2016, as well as efforts by the Congress government in 2018, failed to receive presidential assent. The AAP-led Mann government argues that the existing laws under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita are insufficient in addressing the seriousness of sacrilege and that the new amendments specifically target the shortcomings by introducing harsher penalties for the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Moreover, the custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib will now be legally obliged to ensure proper handling and compliance with the Sikh code of conduct, with violations potentially incurring penalties of up to five years in prison and fines amounting to Rs 10 lakh. This stipulation aims to enhance accountability and safeguard the sanctity of the scripture.

In summary, the approval of the anti-sacrilege Bill marks a significant legal development in Punjab, reflecting the ongoing tension surrounding religious sentiments and the necessity for stronger legal frameworks. With the new law now in effect, it remains to be seen how its implementation will unfold amidst the political dynamics in the region.

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