Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has called an Assembly session from October 22 to October 27. Although the session will span six calendar days, the House is reportedly expected to conduct business on only three days.
The detailed agenda is yet to be confirmed. Several state-related issues may come up for discussion, with the law concerning the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji among the issues to watch.
Whether the Beadbi law will feature in the proceedings will become clear once the official Assembly programme is released.
Why Could The Beadbi Law Become A Key Issue?
The possibility of a discussion comes as the Punjab government considers suggestions concerning amendments to the law dealing with sacrilege cases.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has constituted a seven-member committee to review various aspects of the legislation and consult relevant Sikh religious institutions and stakeholders, including Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
The committee is expected to examine the concerns raised about certain provisions before the government decides on the next steps.
What Has Bhagwant Mann Said About Changes To The Sacrilege Law?
Mann has maintained that the law’s core objective must not be compromised. He has stressed that stringent provisions, including life imprisonment and heavy fines for sacrilege, should not be weakened.
At the same time, the government is considering objections and legal questions relating to certain other provisions. The review is intended to assess these concerns while retaining the law’s fundamental purpose.
Any changes would depend on the government’s subsequent decisions and the applicable legislative process.
Who Are The Seven Members Of The Beadbi Law Committee?
The committee constituted by the Punjab government includes:
- Former Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh
- Sant Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa
- Sant Baba Sewa Singh Rampur Khera
- Retired Justice Jaspal Singh
- Retired Justice Gurbir Singh
- Former IPS officer Jatinder Singh Aulakh
- Law officer Preet Inder Pal Singh
The panel is tasked with considering suggestions from the relevant stakeholders and reviewing the law’s provisions before the next course of action is determined.
Will The Punjab Assembly Take Up The Beadbi Law?
A discussion on the Beadbi law remains a possibility, not a confirmed item on the Assembly agenda. The official programme will establish whether the issue is scheduled for discussion during the October session.
The proceedings could provide greater clarity on the government’s approach to the proposed review, but any legislative move will depend on the decisions taken through the appropriate process.
