Sacrilege can divide nations, warns Giani Harpreet Singh

Patiala: Giani Harpreet Singh, president of SAD (Punar Surjit) and former acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, on Wednesday cautioned the Centre and Punjab government that the mishandling of sacrilege cases carries the potential to fracture social harmony, drawing a historical parallel with events preceding the Partition of India.Addressing a gathering in Patiala over demand for stringent sacrilege laws amid the ongoing protest in Samana, Giani Harpreet Singh argued that religious desecration, if left unaddressed, can deepen communal fault lines and destabilise nations. "Disrespect carried out with malicious intent has the power to divide countries. Governments must act decisively to ensure justice," he said.Partition Linked to Religious ProvocationGiani Harpreet Singh referred to a 1921 incident in Lahore involving the publication of a controversial book containing derogatory references to Prophet Muhammad. He maintained that the episode intensified communal mobilisation at a time when colonial authorities failed to provide adequate legal remedies.He noted that Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code, enacted in 1860, originally prescribed up to two years' imprisonment and was limited to physical damage to places of worship. Following the 1927 killing of the publisher in the Rangila Rasul case, the British government introduced Section 295(A), expanding the law to penalise deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, including insults to religious texts and personalities.The former Jathedar contended that such incidents historically fuelled divisions that later shaped political developments in the subcontinent. "I urge the government to wake up, as Sikhs cannot endure disrespect towards their Guru. Just as the creation of Pakistan was rooted in a book that disrespected Prophet Muhammad, similarly, the disrespect of Shri Guru Granth Sahib should not become a reason to weaken India. Therefore, wake up, be aware, and do justice to the Sikhs", he said.The former Jathedar contrasted India's legal framework with that of Pakistan, noting that after 1947, Pakistan introduced Sections 295(B) and 295(C), prescribing harsher punishments for desecration of religious texts and blasphemy. He referred to the 2018 acquittal in the high-profile Asia Bibi case to underline the international attention such laws attract. In India, Harpreet Singh said, penalties for sacrilege remain limited to two or three years in most cases, which he described as inadequate. He cited the 2015 Bargari sacrilege incidents in Punjab, stating that the pace of investigation and prosecution has eroded public confidence.Harpreet Singh criticised both the state and central governments for failing to enact stricter anti-sacrilege laws. He pointed out that in 2016, the then SAD-BJP government in Punjab passed a Bill seeking life imprisonment for sacrilege, which was not approved by the Centre on the grounds that all religions must be treated equally under the law. A similar amendment moved in 2018 also did not receive assent.He further referred to the Maur bomb blast case, alleging that despite confessional statements reportedly linking individuals associated with Dera Sacha Sauda, the accused have not been brought to justice. "How does the main accused of 2015 sacrilege roam freely in the streets of India and Punjab? The government charged him (Dera Sacha Sauda head) on July 4, 2020, yet he remains free," Singh remarked. Giani Harpreet Singh demanded life imprisonment or death for sacrilege of Shri Guru Granth Sahib, and that Sikhs need both a law and the supremacy of the Guru Granth Sahib.Protest planned outside CM residenceAnnouncing plans to stage a protest at the chief minister's residence in Chandigarh, Giani Harpreet Singh urged authorities to act before public discontent escalates. Reiterating that the supremacy of the Guru Granth Sahib is central to Sikh faith, he said the government must treat sacrilege cases with urgency and seriousness to preserve communal harmony and national unity. He also called for universal respect for all religious texts and sites to prevent national instability. MSID:: 129659255 413 |