The Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party, is set to present a new Bill in the Vidhan Sabha on Monday that would make sacrilege (religious desecration) punishable with life imprisonment.This draft Bill has already been approved by the state Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Key points of the proposed law:

Special courts will be set up to handle sacrilege cases.

Anyone found guilty will face life imprisonment.

No parole will be allowed for those convicted under this law.

This is not an amendment to the existing Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (Indian Penal Code), but a completely new state law.

An official said, “Currently, Punjab does not have a strict law for sacrilege. This new legislation will ensure that those who insult religious texts or places face strict punishment.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also clarified that the law will not be implemented immediately. First, it will be discussed with the public, religious leaders, and institutions. A special consultative committee will be formed to gather feedback and suggestions on how to make the law more effective and just.