Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora strongly criticized previous governments for their failure to address incidents of sacrilege, while praising the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led administration for taking a landmark step by introducing the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025. He emphasized that this legislation is a major move toward protecting religious sentiments in the state.
Participating in the discussion on the bill in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday, Arora slammed the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance and the Congress party for not delivering justice in major sacrilege cases, particularly the 2015 incidents in Bargari, Kotkapura, and Behbal Kalan involving the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Calling out the Congress party’s duplicity, Arora noted that although several Special Investigation Teams (SITs) and commissions were constituted during their rule, none held the Badals accountable. However, after the AAP government assumed power, a fresh and in-depth investigation was launched. A SIT led by ADGP L.K. Yadav filed a comprehensive 7,000-page charge sheet naming key figures including former CM Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, ex-DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, and others. The case is currently under trial in Faridkot’s Additional Sessions Court.
Minister AMAN ARORA pointedly criticized the SAD for its inaction, stating that despite portraying themselves as protectors of Sikh values, the Badals failed to act when the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was violated. He reminded the House that the SAD government in 2016 had proposed a weak bill covering only one scripture, which was ultimately rejected by the Centre. “Now they question our intentions, but their record speaks for itself,” Arora said.
He condemned earlier regimes for delaying or derailing investigations, whereas the AAP government, he noted, has moved decisively by filing charge sheets in all related cases and naming those responsible, including high-profile political leaders.
Detailing the provisions of the new bill, Minister AMAN ARORA explained that it proposes strict punishments—ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment—for acts of desecration, and defines sacrilege in broad terms, covering tampering, burning, tearing, defacing, or damaging sacred texts. The law applies to scriptures across all faiths, including the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Gutka Sahib, Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Quran Sharif, and Holy Bible. Additionally, it makes sacrilege a non-bailable and non-compoundable offense, with penalties of ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
He further added that investigations under the new law will be conducted by officers of DSP rank or higher, and that evidence related to religious texts will be handled with utmost reverence, ensuring dignity and respect throughout the process.
Urging all political parties to support the bill,Minister AMAN ARORA reaffirmed the AAP government’s commitment to protecting Punjab’s religious harmony and social cohesion. “We will not allow faith to be misused for political purposes again. Justice will be served this time,” he asserted.