“This is an important issue related to religious sentiments"
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Defends Sacrilege Bill in Vidhan Sabha, Calls for Exemplary Punishment
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Defends Sacrilege Bill in Vidhan Sabha Latest News: In a powerful address in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today made a compelling case for the newly proposed Sacrilege Bill, emphasizing the need for strict and exemplary punishment for acts that hurt religious sentiments across communities.
Calling the issue "deeply connected to the soul of Punjab," Mann said, “This is an important issue related to religious sentiments, and I’m glad that so many senior members of the House have shared their perspectives today. This isn’t just a political matter — it is a matter of collective conscience.”
Mann underscored the sanctity of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, referring to it not merely as a holy book but a living Guru. “The Guru Sahib gave us the Shabad. There is no bigger Guru than the Shabad Guru. That is why we refer to its parts as Angs — parts of the body — not just pages,” he said.
Highlighting the pain and outrage caused by repeated sacrilege incidents in recent years, the Chief Minister cited not just desecration of religious scriptures like the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Quran Sharif, and Bhagavad Gita, but also acts such as the vandalism of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue.
"These are not ordinary acts of vandalism — they are attacks on the identity and beliefs of entire communities," Mann said. "And in most cases, the accused were conveniently labeled as mentally unstable. Why always this excuse?"
He passionately argued that such offenses can no longer go unpunished. “The pain caused by sacrilege is not limited to one religion. We’ve all felt it. That is why we must have a law that doesn’t just hand out ordinary punishment, but sets an example, so that no one dares repeat such crimes,” he added.
Mann also spoke about the immense depth and value of the Guru Granth Sahib, stating, “If we begin studying just one Ang, it would take months to understand it fully. It is a treasure that embodies our spiritual heritage.”
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid heated but constructive debate over the proposed legislation in the Punjab Assembly. The bill seeks to introduce stricter legal provisions for acts of religious desecration and has garnered broad support from various quarters, including members of opposition parties who have long demanded more concrete steps against sacrilege.
As discussions continue, Bhagwant Mann’s speech set the tone for what could be a landmark move in Punjab’s legislative history — one aimed at protecting the state’s composite culture, religious harmony, and deep spiritual legacy.
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