Punjab Government to Amend IPC to Award Life Term for Sacrilege
The government will amend IPC Section 295 AA to provide a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for sacrilege.
Following multiple incidents of the desecration of the Sikh holy book that led to violent protests, the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab has announced that it will amend Section 295 AA of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), to provide a maximum punishment of life imprisonment to anyone involved in the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib, according to The Times of India.
At present, hurting religious sentiments is covered by IPC’s Section 295 A, under which sacrilege is punishable by a three-year jail term.
Although one BJP minister attended the cabinet meeting where the amendment decision was taken, the party has urged the Akali Dal to consider a similar punishment for any disrespect to Hindu idols in temples.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)