CHANDIGARH: Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday wrote a letter to the Union home minister Amit Shah urging for President’s assent to The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 and The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 to ensure stringent punishment to perpetrators of sacrilege.
Randhawa, who also holds the home portfolio, wrote, "I want to bring to your notice that sacrilege of holy books is becoming a major issue in Punjab. Shri Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living Guru and not an object by the Sikhs and it is accorded respect according to Sikh maryada."
He added that it was in this context that the need was felt to amend the existing provisions of Section 295 and 295-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 which provide for a punishment of up to three years. Therefore, the Punjab vidhan sabha passed The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 and The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018 that provide for punishment up to life imprisonment for whoever causing injury, damage or sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib, Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Holy Quran and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people.
Randhawa apprised the Union home minister that these Bills were given assent by the Punjab governor on September 12, 2018. However, these Bills are still pending for assent of the President. "Punjab being a border state, it is extremely necessary to maintain communal harmony here. For this, deterrent punishment is a must for those trying to disturb communal harmony by indulging in the sacrileges," wrote the deputy chief minister. Therefore, Randhawa urged Shah to obtain Presidential assent at the earliest.
