Punjab Proposes Strict Law Against Desecration of Religious Texts

Punjab Proposes Strict Law Against Desecration of Religious Texts
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In a significant legislative move to protect religious texts and promote communal harmony, the government of India’s Punjab state introduced a new bill on Monday titled the “Punjab Prevention of Offenses Against Religious Texts Act, 2025.” The proposed law, presented to the state assembly (Vidhan Sabha), has attracted widespread public attention and growing calls for harsher penalties for religious offenses.

If passed, the bill would impose severe punishments on anyone convicted of desecrating sacred scriptures, with prison sentences ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, along with fines up to 1 million rupees. The law would cover major religious texts, including the Quran, Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, and the Bible.

Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa has called for more time to review the sensitive legislation and suggested referring it to a select committee for broader consultations. The bill also proposes jail terms of three to five years and fines up to 300,000 rupees for anyone who incites or plans acts of desecration.

This measure responds to recent protests led by the “Sarb Dharam Beadbi Roko Kanoon” campaign, demanding stricter action after a series of incidents raised communal tension. If enacted and approved by India’s president, the law will take immediate effect across Punjab and override conflicting state laws.