• PUNJAB OPTS FOR TOUGH LAWS ON SACRILEGE:
After the Punjab Cabinet’s nod for an amendment to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to make sacrilege of all religious texts punishable with life imprisonment, legal experts and Opposition parties have expressed fear that the law could be misused to curb right to freedom of speech and expression, besides settling scores with political opponents.
The Bill will seek insertion of Section 295AA to the IPC to provide that, “whoever causes injury, damage or sacrilege to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Srimad Bhagwad Gita, Holy Quran and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people, shall be punished with imprisonment for life.” Once the Assembly passes the amendments, it would need the assent of the President. Under the existing Section 295A, punishment is for a maximum of three years imprisonment with or without fine..
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