Chandigarh: Even as Punjab assembly on Monday cleared the amendment to the anti-sacrilege law, Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma alleged that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party AAP “lacks intent” in “putting culprits behind bars”.He also stated that “the govt is creating an imbalance by bringing laws focused on one religion while ignoring others”. “All religions’ sacred texts, idols, etc., must be equally respected and the law should be uniform for all,” said Sharma.Speaking on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by Punjab assembly on Monday, the BJP leader said, “The govt is proceeding on this sensitive issue without wider consultation.”Calling it “against the spirit of the 1959 Nehru-Tara Singh agreement”, Sharma said, “Neither the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) nor other recognised religious organisations were consulted.”Speaking to the media persons, Sharma, who represents the Pathankot assembly constituency, said, “Laws function on intent. There must be intent. But the AAP govt led by chief minister Bhagwant Mann lacks intent. Before forming the govt, Arvind Kejriwal promised justice within 24 hours in the Bargari sacrilege case and said the culprits would be put behind bars. However, even after four years, no punishment has been delivered, and the govt’s action in these cases has remained sluggish.“He alleged, “The judicial process in the Bargari sacrilege cases was deliberately slowed down.”“In May 2022, the Punjab Police SIT sought approval from the home department to prosecute the accused under Section 295A (of the IPC), but the approval was granted nearly two and a half years later on Oct 21, 2024. Such delay proves the govt’s lack of seriousness and suggests attempts to shield the accused,” Sharma added.Questioning the Punjab govt’s role in the Supreme Court, the BJP leader said, “It is highly concerning that the govt and the lawyers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh filed similar affidavits. The trials in the three major 2015 sacrilege cases — theft of the Guru Granth Sahib saroop, putting up objectionable posters, and recovery of torn pages — were influenced, and on April 29, 2025, the Supreme Court stayed the trial court proceedings.“Citing data, Sharma said, “Since June 1, 2015, a total of 597 sacrilege cases have been registered, out of which only 44 have resulted in convictions.” He added, “Conviction in less than 10% of cases reflects weak prosecution and administrative failure.”“Hearings are still going on in 131 cases, while a large number of cases have been cancelled or dismissed, indicating the govt’s apathy towards the justice system,” he added.Referring to the ‘Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025′, the senior leader said, “It proposed life imprisonment for insulting sacred texts of all major religions, including Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran Sharif, and the Bible. The bill was sent to a select committee with a mandate to report within six months, but even after eight months, its status remains unclear, reflecting a lack of seriousness and policy direction.“MSID:: 130237691 413 |
