PUNJAB's BLASPHEMY LAW - SECTION 295AA PROPOSED - A DANGEROUS IDEA
WHAT JUST HAPPENED ?
The Punjab's government recently decided to expand the scope of India's desecration law.
It proposed to add Section 295AA to the Indian Penal Code to make injury, damage or sacrilege to Shri Guru Granth Sahib,Srimad Bhagwad Geeta, Holy Quran and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people a crime punishment with life imprisonment.
Section 295 already exists. So, 295AA will make this stronger. As of now, this is just a proposal. To make this law, Punjab Government need to pass this in 'Punjab State assembly' and once passed in 'Punjab State assembly' then it go to Centre. If Centre give nod then only 295AA will get added into Indian Penal code.
WHAT IS THE REASON, WHY PUNJAB GOVERNMENT MAKING SUCH LAW?
Reason : Justice Ranjit Singh Commission.
This commission set up in 2017 to look into incidents of the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of the Sikhs, over the previous two years.
In October 2015, There are many instances when people harm Guru Granth Sahib & Holy Quran. At that time, People get violent as their sentiments gets hurt.
Many People died at that time and several injured.
So, To avoid such situation in future, Justice Ranjit Singh Commission built.
As per the existing 295 Penal Code:
"295. Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.—Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to their religion, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both."
So, Section 295AA is no more than duplication of an existing provision on desecration that gives the state sweeping power to make arrests.
In 2955 AA - They Explicitly mention Sacred Books and punishment is Life Imprisonment.
Ramification ( Consequence) Can be Deep of such law - In country , Especially India
BLASPHEMY : the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk.
Anti-Blasphemy law exists in so many countries :-
Pakistan/ Afghanistan/Iran - If we disrespect Quran - Punishment is death sentence. That's why Pakistan get criticized in media.
Russia - Have Anti-Blasphemy Law for Bible and punishment is Imprisonment.
China - No Such Law.
Canada/Brazil - Also have Anti-Blasphemy Law.
India (Existing Law) - Blasphemy Law Exists and Punishment is 2 years Imprisonment.
Now, By proposing Life Imprisonment - India is on way of such countries.So this is not a good signal for Liberal Values for India.
LEARNING'S FROM PAKISTAN
The Progressive strengthening of anti-blasphemy law in Pakistan was a sign of toxic combination of greater intolerance & authoritarianism and due to this country not progress so much.
Does India want to traverse the same road?
When there is already a law of 'Right to religious Freedom' through article 19 & 25. Also We have Existing laws Like 295.
When all such exists. Is there a need to bring an extraordinary law?
For more information, you can access below links:
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/blasphemy-law-punjab-government-article-295-imprisonment-for-causing-damnage-religious-scriptures-5323736/
https://scroll.in/article/891426/why-punjabs-move-to-expand-indias-blasphemy-laws-is-a-blow-to-freedom-of-expression
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/retrograde-move/article24754556.ece
Above Information is as per data available in news till the date when I am posting this.
For Other Topics visit - http://learn2ogether.blogspot.com/
The Punjab's government recently decided to expand the scope of India's desecration law.
It proposed to add Section 295AA to the Indian Penal Code to make injury, damage or sacrilege to Shri Guru Granth Sahib,Srimad Bhagwad Geeta, Holy Quran and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people a crime punishment with life imprisonment.
Section 295 already exists. So, 295AA will make this stronger. As of now, this is just a proposal. To make this law, Punjab Government need to pass this in 'Punjab State assembly' and once passed in 'Punjab State assembly' then it go to Centre. If Centre give nod then only 295AA will get added into Indian Penal code.
WHAT IS THE REASON, WHY PUNJAB GOVERNMENT MAKING SUCH LAW?
Reason : Justice Ranjit Singh Commission.
This commission set up in 2017 to look into incidents of the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of the Sikhs, over the previous two years.
In October 2015, There are many instances when people harm Guru Granth Sahib & Holy Quran. At that time, People get violent as their sentiments gets hurt.
Many People died at that time and several injured.
So, To avoid such situation in future, Justice Ranjit Singh Commission built.
As per the existing 295 Penal Code:
"295. Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class.—Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to their religion, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both."
So, Section 295AA is no more than duplication of an existing provision on desecration that gives the state sweeping power to make arrests.
In 2955 AA - They Explicitly mention Sacred Books and punishment is Life Imprisonment.
Ramification ( Consequence) Can be Deep of such law - In country , Especially India
BLASPHEMY : the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk.
Anti-Blasphemy law exists in so many countries :-
Pakistan/ Afghanistan/Iran - If we disrespect Quran - Punishment is death sentence. That's why Pakistan get criticized in media.
Russia - Have Anti-Blasphemy Law for Bible and punishment is Imprisonment.
China - No Such Law.
Canada/Brazil - Also have Anti-Blasphemy Law.
India (Existing Law) - Blasphemy Law Exists and Punishment is 2 years Imprisonment.
Now, By proposing Life Imprisonment - India is on way of such countries.So this is not a good signal for Liberal Values for India.
LEARNING'S FROM PAKISTAN
The Progressive strengthening of anti-blasphemy law in Pakistan was a sign of toxic combination of greater intolerance & authoritarianism and due to this country not progress so much.
Does India want to traverse the same road?
When there is already a law of 'Right to religious Freedom' through article 19 & 25. Also We have Existing laws Like 295.
When all such exists. Is there a need to bring an extraordinary law?
For more information, you can access below links:
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/blasphemy-law-punjab-government-article-295-imprisonment-for-causing-damnage-religious-scriptures-5323736/
https://scroll.in/article/891426/why-punjabs-move-to-expand-indias-blasphemy-laws-is-a-blow-to-freedom-of-expression
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/retrograde-move/article24754556.ece
Above Information is as per data available in news till the date when I am posting this.
For Other Topics visit - http://learn2ogether.blogspot.com/
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