Punjab News: Life Imprisonment, No Bail – Bhagwant Mann Govt's Sacrilege Bill Set to Toughen Law

Bhagwant Mann's Punjab government has introduced an extremely stringent bill in the assembly to mete out much harsher punishment for sacrilege of religious books. The "Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025" has been designed to address an extremely emotional cause in the state with what Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refers to as a "zero tolerance" strategy. The move has been made against the backdrop of consistent calls for stronger legal tools for the deterrence and punishment of such offenses.

Major Provisions: Life Term, No Bail, and Expanded Coverage

The bill demands tough punishment, including life imprisonment for the perpetrators of desecration of religious books. The most significant aspect of the bill is that the accused will not be granted bail, which shows a tough line against the offense. The convicts may even be sentenced to heavy fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

Detailed Scope and Legal Process

The most striking feature of this bill is its wide ambit. While some of the earlier bills have focused on a single religion, this bill addresses the holy books of major religions like the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Quran, and Holy Bible. Such sensitive cases of investigation will be investigated by a police officer of the rank of at least Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Even attempts to commit sacrilege or abetment of sacrilege will be punished heavily, the proposed prison terms being three to five years, and a fine up to ₹3 lakh.

Path to Enactment and Public Consultation

The bill has been brought into the assembly and then to a select committee. It provides for wider consultation with the different stakeholders, religious institutions, and the public at large, before its enactment. This is the second time Punjab is undertaking such a law; earlier governments had also brought similar bills, which also did not get presidential assent. The Mann government feels that with this fresh draft, which is comprehensive and stringent, this will now become a powerful law to ensure communal harmony and religious sanctity in the state.