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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Anti-sacrilege bill: Punjab assembly panel seeks suggestions by Aug 31
Chandigarh: The Punjab assembly's select committee, formed for wider stakeholder consultation on an anti-sacrilege bill, has released a WhatsApp number and email ID for public suggestions, with a deadline of Aug 31. The 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill 2025', proposing stricter penalties — including life imprisonment — for religious sacrilege, was referred to a select committee on July 15 for examination and to seek public opinion. The 15-member committee was formally constituted by Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on July 19 and held its first meeting on July 24. According to a public notice on Thursday, the committee has sought suggestions from the public, religious institutions, non-govt organisations, experts, intellectuals, and various representatives of civil society regarding the bill. Suggestions can be sent by the public in writing on WhatsApp number '8054495560' and on email IDs secy-vs-punjab@ or or through the local MLA. Under the bill, a person found guilty of sacrilege could face imprisonment of not less than 10 years, extending to a maximum of life imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh, which can go up to Rs 10 lakh. Anyone who abets such a crime will receive the same punishment. The panel, which is headed by AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar, will submit its report within six months. MSID:: 123019933 413 |
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab assembly panel on anti-sacrilege Bill seeks public inputs through WhatsApp, email
The select committee of the Punjab assembly, formed for a wider consultation with the stakeholders on an anti-sacrilege Bill, has released a WhatsApp number and an email ID for receiving suggestions from the public by August 31, a public notice said. The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, proposing punishment up to life imprisonment for sacrilege acts against scriptures, was introduced in the House on July 14. (HT file photo) Suggestions can be sent by the public in writing on WhatsApp number 8054495560 and on e-mail IDs secy-vs-punjab@ or it added. According to the public notice, the select committee seeks suggestions from the public, religious institutions, non-government organisations, experts, intellectuals and various representatives of civil society regarding the bill. The committee also asked people to send their views through MLAs of their respective constituencies and by post or by hand. The committee will consider suggestions received by August 31, it said. The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025, proposing punishment up to life imprisonment for sacrilege acts against religious scriptures, was introduced in the House on July 14. Thereafter, the Punjab assembly unanimously decided to refer the bill to the select committee of the House to seek public opinion, including religious bodies, on the proposed legislation. A 15-member select committee, led by AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar, for seeking public opinion on the bill had been constituted by the Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on July 19. The panel will submit its report on the Bill within six months. The first meeting of the select committee was held on July 24. The anti-sacrilege Cill mandates strict punishment, extending up to life imprisonment for the desecration of holy scriptures, including Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Bible and Quran. According to the Bill, any person found guilty of sacrilege may face jail term ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. The guilty shall also be liable to pay a fine of ₹5 lakh, which may extend up to ₹10 lakh. Those attempting to commit the offence may be sentenced to three to five years and shall also be liable to pay a fine which may extend up to ₹3 lakh, according to the Bill. Individuals found abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed. According to the proposed Bill, offence means any sacrilege, damage, destruction, defacing, disfiguring, defiling, decomposing, burning, breaking or tearing of any holy scripture or part thereof.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab Assembly panel on anti-sacrilege bill seeks public suggestions through Whatsapp, email
Chandigarh, The select committee of the Punjab Assembly, formed for a wider consultation with the stakeholders on an anti-sacrilege bill, has released a WhatsApp number and an email ID for receiving suggestions from the public by August 31, a public notice said. Punjab Assembly panel on anti-sacrilege bill seeks public suggestions through Whatsapp, email Suggestions can be sent by the public in writing on WhatsApp number 8054495560 and on e-mail IDs secy-vs-punjab@ or it added. According to the public notice, the select committee seeks suggestions from the public, religious institutions, non-government organisations, experts, intellectuals and various representatives of civil society regarding the bill. The committee also asked people to send their views through MLAs of their respective constituencies and by post or by hand. The committee will consider suggestions received by August 31, it said. The Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture Bill, 2025, proposing punishment up to life imprisonment for sacrilege acts against religious scriptures, was introduced in the House on July 14. Thereafter, the Punjab Assembly unanimously decided to refer the bill to the select committee of the House to seek public opinion, including religious bodies, on the proposed legislation. A 15-member select committee, led by A MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar, for seeking public opinion on the bill had been constituted by the Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on July 19. The panel will submit its report on the bill within six months. The first meeting of the select committee was held on July 24. The anti-sacrilege bill mandates strict punishment, extending up to life imprisonment for the desecration of holy scriptures, including the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Bible and Quran. According to the bill, any person found guilty of sacrilege may face jail term ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. The guilty shall also be liable to pay a fine of ₹5 lakh, which may extend up to ₹10 lakh. Those attempting to commit the offence may be sentenced to three to five years and shall also be liable to pay a fine which may extend up to ₹3 lakh, according to the Bill. Individuals found abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed. According to the proposed bill, offence means any sacrilege, damage, destruction, defacing, disfiguring, de-colouring, de-filling, decomposing, burning, breaking or tearing of any holy scripture or part thereof. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Anti-sacrilege bill: Punjab assembly select committee holds 1st meeting
1 2 Chandigarh: The 15-member select committee of Punjab vidhan sabha, tasked with holding wider consultations with stakeholders on the anti-sacrilege bill, held its first meeting under the chairmanship of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar. Speaking to media, Nijjar, who was accompanied by speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, said the committee discussed its work area and the bill. He said a mechanism would be put in place to seek inputs from the public. While methods for submitting suggestions, such as WhatsApp and email, are being considered, these details will be finalised in the next meeting. Religious organisations and thinkers will also be consulted, he said. "The discussions held in the meeting are confidential as it is a sensitive issue," Nijjar stated. "We will meet again on July 29." Nijjar added the committee would try to submit its report within the stipulated period of six months. "We will try to meet at least once a week. However, the frequency can be increased, and we may form a sub-committee... Two members, Bram Shankar Jimpa and Amandeep Kaur, could not attend the meeting, but they are on their way, and we will brief them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like JAIN Online MBA – Empowering Future Leaders JAIN Online Learn More Undo The panel may also give an option to invite suggestions through local MLAs," Nijjar said. The Punjab advocate general, who is an ex-officio member of the committee, also attended the meeting. The panel includes MLAs from AAP, Congress, BJP, and SAD. The speaker had formed the committee on July 19 to seek public opinion and consult religious orgsanisations on the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025. Before this, the sacrilege bill was introduced in the assembly on July 14, proposing stricter penalties, including life imprisonment, for religious sacrilege. The MLAs nominated to the select committee include Nijjar, Ajay Gupta, Amandeep Kaur Arora, Inderjit Kaur Mann, Jagdeep Kamboj, Jangi Lal Mahajan, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Neena Mittal, Baljinder Kaur, Budh Ram, Bram Shanker Jimpa, Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, Madan Lal Bagga, Manpreet Singh Ayali, and Mohammad Jamil Ur Rehman. Under the bill, a person found guilty of sacrilege could face imprisonment of not less than 10 years, extending to a maximum of life imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh, which can go up to Rs 10 lakh. Those attempting to commit an offence will be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and up to five years, and a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh. Also, any person who abets an offence, and the offence is committed as a consequence of that abetment, will receive the same punishment as prescribed for the main offence.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pb speaker forms panel on anti-sacrilege bill, Nijjar to head it
1 2 Chandigarh: Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan Saturday formed a select committee to hold consultations with various stakeholders on the "Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025". It follows a unanimous resolution passed during the assembly session on July 15. The select committee is mandated to submit its report within six months. The 15-member panel will be led by former cabinet minister and AAP (Amritsar South) MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar. The state's advocate general will be an ex-officio member. The panel includes MLAs from the ruling AAP, as well as opposition parties such as Congress, BJP, and SAD. Among the MLAs nominated to the select committee are Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Ajay Gupta, Amandeep Kaur Arora, Inderjit Kaur Mann, Jagdeep Kamboj, Jangi Lal Mahajan, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Neena Mittal, Baljinder Kaur, Budh Ram, Bram Shanker Jimpa, Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, Madan Lal Bagga, Manpreet Singh Ayali, and Mohammad Jamil Ur Rehman. On July 16, the Punjab assembly referred the anti-sacrilege bill, which proposes life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh for acts of sacrilege against religious scriptures, to a select committee of legislators for consultation with stakeholders and the general public. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo It was also decided that the panel will submit its report within six months. Under the Bill, a person found guilty of sacrilege could face imprisonment of not less than 10 years, extending to a maximum of life imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh, which can go up to Rs 10 lakh. Anyone who abets such a crime will receive the same punishment. The proposed legislation aims to safeguard religious and communal harmony and deter sacrilege incidents by imposing severe punishment. It defines "holy scriptures" as sacred texts revered by various religious denominations, specifically listing Sri Guru Granth Sahib (including extracts like Pothis and Gutka Sahib), Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Quran Sharif, and the Holy Bible. The notification regarding the select committee was issued by the assembly secretariat, and copies have been circulated to all members of the house.
