Punjab Government Announces Special Session to Strengthen Anti-Sacrilege Legislation
In a significant development addressing ongoing protests, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan met with demonstrators at the Samana tower protest site on Sunday. He announced that the state government will introduce a more robust anti-sacrilege law by amending the existing Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act of 2008.
Special Assembly Session Coinciding with Baisakhi
Addressing a gathering at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Chowk, Sandhwan revealed that the assembly will convene a special session on April 13, which coincides with the festival of Baisakhi. This session has been called specifically to pass the proposed amendments to the sacrilege law. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had previously announced this special session on Saturday, underscoring the government's commitment to the issue.
Stringent Provisions and Consultation Process
The speaker emphasized that the government is dedicated to incorporating stringent provisions into the amended legislation. These include:
- Strict punishment for offenders
- Heavy financial penalties
- Confiscation of property belonging to those found guilty
- Specific provisions to address offenses committed through digital platforms
Sandhwan explained that the draft is being prepared through comprehensive consultation with the Sant Samaj and legal experts across the country. He also referenced a recent meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and representatives of the Sant Samaj, highlighting that the government treats this legislation as a top priority.
Government's Firm Stance and Protest Leader's Response
Reaffirming the administration's position, Sandhwan stated there would be no leniency toward anyone found guilty of sacrilege, emphasizing that the current government believes in concrete action rather than mere promises. The announcement was met with a positive response from the gathering, with supporters raising slogans in favor of the move.
However, protest leader Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, speaking from atop the tower where he has been protesting since October 2024, maintained that the agitation would continue until the law is formally enacted. Sandhwan assured that he would present the draft of the proposed law to the Samana Morcha on April 14 and personally hand it over to Khalsa.
Delegation Discussions and Expert Involvement
Earlier in the day, Sandhwan and a delegation of MLAs—including Baltej Pannu, Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Chetan Singh Jouramajra, Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Gurlal Ghanour, Narinder Kaur Bharaj, Gurdev Singh Dev Mann, and Kulwant Singh Bazigar—held detailed discussions with morcha leaders.
Baltej Pannu and Inderbir Singh Nijjar assured that no one involved in sacrilege would be spared and that expert legal opinions from across the nation would be incorporated to make the law more effective. They urged Khalsa to end his protest and participate in the special assembly session, though Khalsa reiterated that he would only conclude the protest after the law is passed.
Sandhwan also expressed gratitude to Sant Seva Singh of Rampur Khera for supporting this legislative initiative, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the proposed amendments.
