Why an anti-sacrilege law in India's Punjab has sparked controversy

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Why an anti-sacrilege law in India's Punjab has sparked controversyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Akal Takht operates from a building located in front of the causeway leading to the Golden Temple in AmritsarByAbhishek DeyPublished5 hours agoA recent attempt by the government in India's northern state of Punjab to introduce a tougher law punishing sacrilege against the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, has triggered a controversy. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government passed the legislation in April, saying it would strengthen punishment for acts of sacrilege and help deter offences against the Guru Granth Sahib. The holy scripture contains the hymns and teachings of the Sikh Gurus, along with compositions by saint-poets from different spiritual traditions.

Sikhs regard it not only as their holy scripture but also as their eternal living Guru. But the move has been challenged by the Akal Takht, the highest seat of temporal and spiritual affairs of Sikhs. The Akal Takht says the law does not limit itself to criminalising acts of sacrilege but also encroaches on matters that should be decided by Sikh religious institutions.

The Details

It has also objected to provisions on the handling, registration and custody of the Guru Granth Sahib, saying it was not consulted before the law was passed. What does the new law say? The law defines sacrilege in legal terms for the first time, covering the deliberate desecration, damage, burning, tearing, theft or defacement of the Guru Granth Sahib, as well as words, signs or electronic communication intended to insult it or offend Sikh religious sentiments.

The offences are cognisable and non-bailable, allowing police to arrest suspects without a warrant and making bail harder to obtain. Sacrilege carries prison terms of seven to 20 years and fines of 200,000 rupees ($2,096; £1,573) to one million rupees. Penalties can be higher if the offence is committed as part of a criminal conspiracy to disrupt peace or religious harmony.

Beyond criminal penalties, the law introduces new rules governing the administration of the Guru Granth Sahib, including its registration, the responsibilities of those entrusted with its care and the state government's powers to frame implementing rules. It is these administrative provisions, rather than the harsher punishments, that lie at the heart of the Akal Takht's objections. Why was the law passed?

What Experts Say

In Punjab, India's only Sikh-majority state, sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib is among the most sensitive issues. A series of alleged desecrations of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015 sparked widespread protests across Punjab. Two protesters were killed when police opened fire , externalon demonstrators in Behbal Kalan, turning the issue into a lasting political and religious flashpoint.

The handling of the 2015 incidents is widely seen as a factor in the defeat of the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) government in the 2017 election.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.