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Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
AI generating inaccurate information related to Sikh history, Gurbani: SGPC
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has said it objected to the dissemination of inaccurate information related to Gurbani, Sikh history, and Gurmat through artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. Responding to complaints from various members of the Sikh community, the SGPC has sent emails to various AI service providers requesting corrective action. The platforms contacted by the SGPC include ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Grok, Gemini AI, Meta, Google, VEO 3, Descript, Runway ML, Pictory, Magisto, InVideo, DALL·E 2, MidJourney, DeepAI, and others. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that the content generated by some AI tools, including altered images and interpretations, has caused concern within the community. He said that the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the central religious scripture of Sikhism, and its content must not be changed. He further claimed that some AI tools are producing modified versions of Gurbani, which he described as a serious issue. According to Dhami, the SGPC has received multiple objections regarding such content and has formally asked the platforms involved to stop publishing or generating such material. He also noted that some AI-generated outputs misrepresent Sikh religious figures, texts, and symbols, which may affect how younger generations understand Sikh history and principles. He added that some Gurbani-related mobile applications are also presenting text in an incorrect form. The SGPC has taken action against certain apps and plans to continue addressing the issue. Dhami called on individuals and organisations working in the technology field to support efforts aimed at preventing the spread of incorrect content. He also urged the Sikh community to avoid relying on such platforms and to consult established historical sources for learning. In addition, Dhami has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting government intervention and the formulation of a policy to regulate such activities.
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.
Scroll.in
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Punjab Assembly refers anti-sacrilege bill to select committee for consultation
The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday referred a 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 the consultation with stakeholders, PTI reported. The 2025 Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill was tabled in the Assembly by the Aam Aadmi Party government on Monday. The bill proposes strict punishment for desecration of holy scriptures, including the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible and the Quran. It proposes minimum imprisonment of 10 years and a minimum fine of Rs 5 lakh for persons found guilty of sacrilege, the newspaper reported. It also states that an attempt to commit such an offence may lead to a jail term of three years to five years and a fine up to Rs 3 lakh. The bill noted that offences under the proposed law would be cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable, The Indian Express reported. The cases would be tried in a sessions court. As per the bill, an offence is defined as sacrilege, damage, destruction, defacing, disfiguring, de-colouring, de-filling, decomposing, burning, breaking or tearing of any holy scripture or its part, PTI reported. On Monday, a government spokesperson told The Indian Express that there had been several incidents involving the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts. This deeply hurt public sentiments and caused unrest in society, the spokesperson said, adding that sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita addressed such offences but did not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties to serve as an effective deterrent. 'Considering the gravity of such offences and the imperative to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the Cabinet found it necessary to introduce state-specific legislation providing enhanced penalties – including life imprisonment – for those convicted of sacrilege against any holy granth,' The Indian Express quoted the spokesperson as saying. During the discussion on the bill in the Assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the proposed legislation would ensure that no heinous crime takes place by making a provision of the sternest punishment against culprits, PTI reported. The special session of the Assembly had been called after the chief minister met representatives of the Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha, an organisation whose activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been protesting atop a 400-foot telecom tower for 275 days demanding the law, The Indian Express reported.
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Anti-sacrilege bill introduced in Punjab Assembly
Chandigarh, The A government on Monday introduced in the Punjab Assembly an anti-sacrilege bill, proposing punishment up to life imprisonment for sacrilegious acts against religious scriptures. Anti-sacrilege bill introduced in Punjab Assembly Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann introduced the 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill 2025' in the House. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa described the sacrilege issue as serious and urged the Speaker to hold the discussion on the bill on Tuesday. Before the start of the third day of the special session of the state Assembly, the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture Bill, 2025 a state-specific law was cleared by the cabinet in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mann here. The bill mandates strict punishment, extending up to life imprisonment, for the desecration of holy scriptures, including the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Bible and Quran, an official spokesperson said after the cabinet meeting. With the enactment of the law, the State seeks to further strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace, and amity. It will also act as a strong deterrent against anti-social and anti-national activities by ensuring severe punishment for perpetrators of this heinous crime, said the spokesperson. The spokesperson said there have been numerous incidents in the past involving the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and other revered granths, deeply wounding public sentiments and causing unrest in society. While sections 298, 299 and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, address such issues, they do not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties to serve as an effective deterrent, said the spokesperson. Considering the gravity of such offences and the imperative to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the Cabinet found it necessary to introduce state-specific legislation providing enhanced penalties - including life imprisonment - for those convicted of sacrilege against any holy granth. Notably, until now, no specific legislation existed that directly addressed offences against 'holy granths', often resulting in leniency or evasion of serious action by culprits, said the spokesperson. This new legislation aims to fill that legal void by criminalising and prescribing punishments for acts of sacrilege across all sects and faiths. Under the proposed law, any person found guilty of sacrilege may face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. Those attempting the offence may be sentenced to three to five years, while individuals found abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed. PTi CHS VSD RT This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NDTV
14-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Punjab Cabinet Approves New Bill Proposing Life Term In Sacrilege Cases
Chandigarh: In a move aimed at taking strong action against sacrilege, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approved the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill 2025. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh. The Chief Minister's Office said, Punjab has witnessed several incidents in recent years involving the desecration of sacred texts, especially the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. These acts have deeply hurt public sentiment and triggered unrest. While existing provisions in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (new penal code) do cover such offences, the state government believes the current penalties are not strong enough to stop such crimes. The Cabinet cleared a state-specific law that will introduce stricter punishment. Under the new bill, those found guilty of desecrating any holy scripture could face life imprisonment. The law will apply to offences against the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy Bible, the Quran Sharif and other revered religious texts. The state government said the law will not only help preserve communal harmony and peace but also serve as a strong deterrent against those wanting to create trouble in society. Until now, no law in Punjab has directly addressed offences against sacred scriptures. As a result, many cases were either delayed or did not result in serious action. The new bill fills the legal gap by making sacrilege a defined offence, with severe punishment. According to the draft, anyone convicted of committing sacrilege could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in jail, going up to life imprisonment. Those attempting the crime could face 3 to 5 years, while individuals helping or encouraging the act will be punished in line with the main offence. Regulations for Crusher Units and Retailers Also Approved In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave its nod to the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units and Stockists and Retailer Rules 2025. These rules are part of a wider effort to crack down on illegal mining and ensure that crusher units and retailers operate under a clear and accountable legal framework. The rules lay out procedures, forms, deadlines, and enforcement mechanisms, aiming to eliminate loopholes, prevent royalty evasion, and put an end to illegal sand and gravel procurement. The new framework is also expected to promote environmentally responsible business practices. Opposition Parties Question Drafting Process The sacrilege bill has already drawn criticism from the opposition. Leaders from the BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal said the bill should have been discussed in detail with all political parties and representatives of religious and social groups. They accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of pushing the draft without any broader consultation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to the criticism by clarifying that the government intends to put the draft in the public domain before finalising the law. "This is just the first step. We will invite feedback and consider all opinions before taking it forward," he said.
