The backdrop of Punjab’s new anti-sacrilege law lies in the sacrilege incidents of 2015, when a Bir (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib was stolen from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala, and its torn pages were subsequently found in Bargari.
The SAD-BJP government failed to resolve this case, triggering massive public outrage that ultimately led to its defeat in the 2017 elections. Subsequently, followers of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim were arrested, but the investigation could not be brought to a conclusion. Ahead of the 2022 elections, the AAP promised to deliver justice within 24 hours and projected IPS officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh as the face of this campaign; however, he was later sidelined and expelled from the party.
- As the elections drew near and pressure mounted, the Bhagwant Mann government amended a 2008 state law to enact a new, stringent anti-sacrilege law.
- This legislation stipulates punishments ranging from seven years to life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege.
- Similar attempts made by the SAD-BJP in 2016 and by the Congress in 2018 had failed to succeed due to constitutional hurdles and issues regarding Presidential assent.
- By swiftly passing this law, the AAP government sought to politically consolidate Sikh support and divert attention from the criticism it faced for failing to deliver justice in the 2015 cases.
- Certain sections of the Akal Takht and the SGPC have opposed this legislation.
- They argue that the State cannot impose any “secular law” upon the Guru Granth Sahib and that the law’s vague provisions could be open to misuse.
- Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargach has given the government a 15-day ultimatum to amend the contentious provisions.
- Refusing to withdraw the law, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has leveled allegations against leaders associated with the SGPC, accusing them of involvement in the 2015 incidents. This controversy has also exposed rifts within Sikh institutions and the weakening political position of the Akali Dal, as the party leadership has remained largely silent on this issue.