Lingering Law or Law Made to Linger?

Punjab Sacrilege Bill Sent to Committee, Hopes for Swift Passage Dashed

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Hopes for the swift enactment of a stringent law against sacrilege in Punjab were dashed today as the bill, introduced just yesterday in the state assembly, was referred to a standing committee for a six-month review. This unexpected move has cast a shadow over the nearly nine-month-long "Tower Morcha" of Bhai Gurjeet Singh Khalsa, who has been protesting atop a BSNL tower in Samana, demanding exactly such legislation.

The decision to send the bill for committee scrutiny has raised eyebrows and sparked questions about the Punjab government's true intentions, especially given the non-contentious nature of the proposed law.

A Protracted Struggle for Justice

The background to this development lies in a series of deeply unsettling incidents of sacrilege of religious scriptures that have plagued Punjab in recent years. As highlighted in a "Daily Punjab Times" article published on June 21, 2025, these acts have not only disturbed the peace of the state but have also been linked to political shifts, notably contributing to the decline of the Akali Dal.

The "Daily Punjab Times" piece, titled, "Towering Protest :8 Months of Unwavering Resolve Does Nonviolence Still Carry Weight?