Latest news with #PunjabAmendment)Bill
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
State will clear legal hurdles to revive traditional bullock cart races: CM Mann
Chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that all legal barriers will be removed to promote and preserve the state's traditional rural sports in Punjab. Chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann addressing a rally in Mehma Singh Wala village in Ludhiana on Tuesday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT) The move follows the unanimous passage on July 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025 by the state assembly, which he described as a 'historic' step in preserving Punjab's cultural legacy while ensuring animal welfare Speaking at an event celebrating the bill's enactment, Mann said that bullock cart races are not mere entertainment but vital representations of rural Punjab's heritage. The sport has been deeply rooted for centuries and that even Guru Nanak Dev Ji practised farming with bullocks during his time in Kartarpur Sahib, he said, adding that the previous ban imposed by a 2014 Supreme Court order had disheartened enthusiasts and damaged ancestral traditions. The new amendment goes beyond the earlier 2019 exemption limited to Kila Raipur to allow bullock cart races statewide, subject to strict safety standards, veterinary oversight, registration, documentation, and penalties for animal cruelty Mann said the legislation not only seeks to rejuvenate rural sports but also aids conservation of indigenous cattle breeds and potentially provides an alternative to youth drug addiction through cultural engagement. He clarified that races can resume only once the bill receives presidential assent and the final rules are notified . 'The law introduces mandatory animal welfare measures, such as veterinary supervision and a ban on sticks during races—designed to prevent cruelty while allowing the sport to flourish under regulation,' he said. The chief minister also expressed intentions to revive other rural competitions like pigeon flying contests. He referenced the famed Kila Raipur Sports Festival—commonly dubbed the 'Rural Olympics'—which began in 1933 and has gained international coverage from outlets like the BBC and Discovery, and even attracted visits by Indian presidents . Mann also criticised former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and other opposition figures. He accused them of prioritising the rights of drug kingpins over the public interest, citing their silence on Punjab's drug crisis while defending those allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Cabinet ministers Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Hardeep Singh Mundian attended the event.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Panel of legal experts being consulted for law against sacrilege: Punjab FM
Punjab government is consulting legal experts to draft a stringent law against sacrilege of religious scriptures, aiming for harsher punishments. The government is proceeding cautiously to avoid future amendments, carefully reviewing the draft with legal advisors. While a special assembly session is scheduled, the bill's readiness remains uncertain, with potential for extension or another session. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Chandigarh: A panel of legal experts are being consulted for a law under which harsher punishment would be given for acts of "sacrilege" against religious scriptures, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said government is not in a hurry and will not bring such a law which will require subsequent amendments, the minister whether the legislation will be brought in the two-day special session of the Punjab Assembly starting July 10, Cheema said, "A panel of legal experts are being consulted over framing the law. We will take the opinion of LR (legal remembrancer) and the AG (Advocate General) office."Cheema said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is serious about the sacrilege issue."The law will ensure that no person dares to indulge in sacrilege. Our work (on framing the legislation) is not finished yet. When the draft is completely ready, we will share," he said while speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting council of ministers, led by Chief Minister Mann, held a meeting whether the Bill is not ready yet, Cheema said, "If need be, we will extend it (session) or convene another one after 10 days. We are not in a hurry." He added that the Bill was under works."Earlier, SAD-BJP government framed a wrong bill and then the Congress regime framed the wrong one. We will not bring a law that requires repeated amendments," he minister said there are several other Bills, including concerning goods and services tax, that will be tabled in the upcoming assembly AAP government was expected to table the law on "sacrilege" against religious scriptures in the two-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan June 28, CM Mann had said that his government will bring a law for stricter punishment for sacrilege acts. He had announced the move after holding a meeting with representatives of the 'Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha'.Mann had expressed concern over existing legal loopholes that allow individuals guilty of such unpardonable acts to walk free, calling it completely unwarranted and CM had highlighted that while the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provides clear provisions regarding religious places, it remains silent on holy 'granths'.Capital punishment could also be part of the is not the first time that a law was being brought for stricter punishment for 2016, the then SAD-BJP government brought in the IPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and CrPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 recommending life sentence for sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib. The Centre later returned the 2018, the then Amarinder Singh government had passed two Bills -- the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018, and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2018, which stipulated a punishment of up to life imprisonment for injury, damage or sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and the the president did not give assent to these two Bills.
