As tension builds over the two lynchings in Punjab over “attempted sacrilege” within 24 hours, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday wrote to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking presidential nod to Punjab’s two amendment bills to ensure stringent punishment to sacrilege perpetrators.
Randhawa, who also holds the Home portfolio, has urged the Centre to give nod to ‘The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018’, and ‘The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018’ “to ensure stringent punishment to those perpetrating the heinous crime of sacrilege of holy books”.
In his letter written to the Union Home Minister, Randhawa said: “I want to bring to your notice that sacrilege of holy books is becoming a major issue in Punjab. Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living Guru and not an object by the Sikhs and it is accorded respect according to Sikh maryada (code of conduct).”
“In this context, it was felt that the existing provisions of Section 295 and 295-A of the Indian Penal Code-1860, which provide for a punishment of up to three years, are inadequate to deal with this situation. So, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed ‘The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2018’ and ‘The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2018’ — which provide for punishment up to life imprisonment for whoever causing injury, damage, or sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib, Srimad Bhagwat Gita, Holy Quran, and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people,” he pointed in the letter.
Randhawa further added that the said Bills were given assent by Punjab Governor on September 12, 2018. “However, these Bills are pending for assent of the President since October 2018,” he added.
“Punjab being a border State, it is extremely necessary to maintain communal harmony here. For this, deterrent punishment is a must for those trying to disturb communal harmony by indulging in the sacrileges.
So, I again request that the Presidential assent for the said Bills may kindly be obtained and conveyed to the State Government, at the earliest possible,” he added.
The demand came after the two people have been lynched in Amritsar and Kapurthala, in separate incidents, over alleged sacrilege attempts.
While the State Government has set up a Special Investigation Team for Amritsar incident, no FIR has been registered, so far, regarding the killing in Kapurthala.
PUNJAB ADGP SHARES “PLAN” WITH CPs, SSPs TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY
To strengthen the security of all religious places and shrines, Punjab ADGP (Law and Order) has shared a “plan” with all the Commissioners of Police (CPs) and the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs).
As per the instructions, issued in view of the sacrilege and the subsequent atmosphere, the district police chiefs have been asked to supervise the security arrangements.
“Security should be tightened with installation of CCTV cameras at all religious places. In case of any irregularity, strict action should be taken immediately,” said the instructions.
The top police officials have been asked to ensure coordination between the police and the management and officers of religious places. The Gazetted officers or SHOs should go to the religious places of their district and cities and give their phone numbers to the management and keep their numbers as well, so that they can have better coordination with each other in times of need, stated the instructions.
CCTV cameras should be installed at all religious places, with round-the-clock CCTV surveillance in all Gurdwaras. All CCTV cameras should be in working condition, and ensure there is adequate lighting, added the instructions.
The instructions stated the CCTVs should be installed in such a way that they can record every movement of all the entry gates, besides the place of the Guru Granth Sahib. “These cameras are regularly checked by the manager of Gurdwara, and should be working continuously,” it added.
The ADGP maintained that the DVR of CCTV should have adequate recording capability. “It should be installed in such a place where no one can easily see, so that no mischievous element can harm or take it away with them. There should be full illumination inside religious places. Especially, there should be complete arrangement of light in Gurdwara Sahib at night,” he added.
All Gurdwaras should have security personnel or guards, who will guard the entire complex. There should be an alternative arrangement of electricity for CCTV cameras, so that even if the light went off, the cameras should not stop working.
The Police Commissioners and SSPs have been asked to keep a check on the CCTVs, and security issue. “The recording of cameras should be kept for at least 30 days. If there is any defect in the cameras or they are not working, the management of Gurdwara Sahib should get them fixed immediately. As long as the cameras are fine, it should be monitored through security personnel,” added the directions.
Besides, directions have been issued to increase police patrolling near the religious places. The Police teams should keep checking these CCTV cameras by visiting religious places.
SGPC DEMANDS DEATH SENTENCE IN SACRILEGE CASES
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday demanded to include a provision of awarding of death sentence in cases of sacrilege or disrespect of religious texts.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh said that such incidents hurt the religious sentiments of the public and therefore be dealt with an iron hand.
Also questioning the State Government’s special investigation team (SIT) constituted to probe into the alleged attempt of sacrilege at the Golden Temple on December 18, the SGPC chief said that the Committee has decided to set up a six-member committee to investigate the case.