In a landmark decision aimed at ensuring stringent punishment for those committing the heinous crime of sacrilege, Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Monday approved the historic Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence.
A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office stated that Punjab has witnessed numerous incidents in the past involving the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and other revered scriptures, deeply wounding public sentiment and causing unrest in society.
While Sections 298, 299, and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, address such issues, they do not prescribe penalties stringent enough to serve as an effective deterrent.
Considering the gravity of such offences and the need to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the Cabinet deemed it essential to introduce state-specific legislation with enhanced penalties including life imprisonment for those convicted of sacrilege against any holy scripture.
Accordingly, the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025 has been approved by the Cabinet. The Bill mandates strict punishment, extending up to life imprisonment, for the desecration of sacred texts including the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Bible, Quran Sharif, and other revered scriptures.
With the enactment of this law, the State aims to further strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace, and unity. It will also act as a strong deterrent against anti-social and anti-national elements by ensuring severe punishment for perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Notably, until now, there was no specific legislation directly addressing offences against holy scriptures, often resulting in leniency or lack of serious legal consequences. This new Act seeks to fill that legal void by criminalizing acts of sacrilege across all faiths and sects.
Under the proposed law individuals found guilty of sacrilege may face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life; those attempting the offence may be sentenced to 3 to 5 years; and persons abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed.
In a parallel development, the Cabinet also granted approval to the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Rules, 2025, to ensure that crusher units, stockists, and retailers operate within a regulated framework.
These rules have been framed under the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailers Act, 2025, which aims to prevent the procurement and use of illegally mined sand and gravel by crusher units.
The new rules define detailed procedures, prescribed forms, timelines, designated authorities, and compliance mechanisms to enable effective, transparent, and accountable implementation of the Act. They seek to eliminate ambiguity in operational processes; prevent royalty evasion and illegal mineral trade; and promote environmentally sustainable and legally compliant operations.
These regulations are expected to enhance transparency and significantly curb illegal mining practices across the State.