AMRITSAR: Aam Aadmi Party’s state chief spokesperson, MLA, and former Cabinet Minister of Punjab, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, said that the Punjab government is giving final touches—after consultation with top legal experts—to a draft law aimed at introducing strict provisions against sacrilege. The draft will be presented in the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha convened on April 13, coinciding with the Khalsa Panth स्थापना दिवस, Vaisakhi.
He stated that the proposed law may include provisions for strict punishment for those committing sacrilege using digital technology, rigorous imprisonment in high-security cells, confiscation of movable and immovable property, and heavy fines.
Dhaliwal expressed these views while addressing public interaction meetings under the campaign “Four Glorious Years with Bhagwant Mann” in villages of his constituency Ajnala, including Kamalpura, Chamiari, Harar Kalan, Surepur-Ibrahim Pura, Mohan Bhandaria, Madhu Chhanga, Kot Mughal, Talwandi Bhangwan, and Matenangal. He was responding to questions raised by attendees regarding the proposed law.
He added that to amend the “Jagt Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Act, 2008” and ensure exemplary punishment, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann personally engaged with saints, Nihang organizations, religious groups, ragi jathas, preachers, and scholars to seek their suggestions.
He also invited religious leaders to attend the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13 and witness the law-making process from the visitors’ gallery.
Dhaliwal further mentioned that Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, who has been sitting on an indefinite protest in Samana demanding a strict law, was also consulted, and his suggestions were sought. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also held meetings in this regard.
The Select Committee led by Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar has received numerous suggestions for amendments through religious organizations and MLAs. All suggestions are being thoroughly examined, and legal experts are working diligently to finalize the draft.
Commenting on the concerns raised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Dhaliwal said the Select Committee had been actively seeking suggestions for the past 8–9 months, and any organization or representative could have submitted their inputs freely. He added that if the SGPC still has suggestions, they should submit them to the government without delay so they can be considered in time.