“The Sacrilege Bill is close to the hearts of many Punjabis."

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Refers Sacrilege Bill to Select Committee for Review

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Refers Sacrilege Bill to Select Committee for Review Latest News: In a significant move during the Special Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday, the House passed a resolution to refer the contentious Sacrilege Bill to a Select Committee for further scrutiny and consultation. The committee will be tasked with conducting detailed surveys and submitting its findings within a period of six months.

The decision was formalized with the approval of Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who will now initiate the process of constituting the Select Committee.

The resolution to hand over the bill was taken amid a wider discussion on the importance of enacting stringent laws to deal with sacrilege incidents in Punjab. While many legislators supported the bill’s intent to deliver exemplary punishment for desecration of religious scriptures, the House unanimously agreed that broader consultation was essential to ensure the law was both effective and balanced.

The committee’s mandate will include soliciting public and expert opinion, reviewing past incidents and legal responses, and suggesting amendments, if any, to strengthen the proposed legislation. The goal is to ensure that the law upholds constitutional values while respecting the deeply held religious sentiments of all communities.

Speaker Kultar Sandhwan, while addressing the Assembly, emphasized the importance of a democratic and consultative approach in matters of such sensitivity. “The Sacrilege Bill is close to the hearts of many Punjabis. It is our responsibility to ensure that the legislation is well-crafted, just, and future-proof,” he said.

The Select Committee is expected to be composed of members from multiple parties, and its report is scheduled to be tabled before the House within six months.

The move was welcomed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and several senior MLAs, who highlighted that while quick justice is essential in sacrilege cases, the foundation of such laws must be rooted in thorough examination and public confidence.

The Sacrilege Bill, which has sparked wide public interest, aims to introduce stricter penalties for the desecration of holy scriptures, including Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Quran Sharif, and the Bhagavad Gita.

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