Government says all major objections have been addressedDraft now under review by Sri Akal Takht SecretariatAmritsar, 29 July (H.S.): The Punjab Government has submitted the revised draft of the Sacrilege Prevention Bill to Sri Akal Takht Sahib after making amendments to the controversial provisions raised earlier. MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh handed over the government's revised draft to Bagicha Singh, the in-charge of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat.Addressing the media, Dr. Nijjar said that all the major objections raised by Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding the proposed legislation had been addressed in the revised draft. He added that the document is now with the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat for detailed examination, and further action will be taken based on the recommendations or decision received from the Secretariat. Dr. Nijjar also informed that the Jathedar was not present at the time the revised draft was submitted.Earlier, Sri Akal Takht Sahib had raised six key objections to the original draft. These included the use of the term Saroop instead of Bir, provisions relating to the custodian, the proposal to assign unique identification numbers to the saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, defining the responsibilities of custodians, clarity regarding punishment-related provisions, and ensuring that in the event of an accident, a saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib would not be treated as case property.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH