Laxmi Kanta Chawla urges Punjab Govt to focus on core issues before sacrilege law
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 7, 2026: Former Punjab Minister and senior BJP leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla has urged the state government to focus on pressing social issues before introducing a law on sacrilege of religious texts. Her remarks come ahead of the special Punjab Assembly session scheduled for April 13 on the issue.
Chawla raised concerns over the proposed legislation, questioning its scope in a country like India—and particularly Punjab—where numerous religious scriptures exist.
She asked the government to clarify which texts would be included under the law, warning that different punishments for different scriptures could create confusion and controversy. She stressed that any law must be clear, practical, and free from ambiguity.
Highlighting the ground realities, Chawla said that common citizens, especially the poor, are still struggling for dignity and justice.
She pointed out that from police stations to courts, people often face humiliation, and the legal process remains lengthy and complicated, leaving many victims disheartened before justice is delivered.
She also emphasized the issue of women’s dignity, stating that the growing presence of obscene advertisements misrepresents women and amounts to social disrespect. She urged the government to introduce stricter policies to safeguard women’s dignity if it truly seeks to uphold societal values.
Raising concerns about employment, Chawla noted that a large number of youth are working on contract or outsourcing jobs, facing insecurity and low wages.
She said many young people are struggling to sustain themselves, questioning whether the government is doing enough to secure their future.
While acknowledging that respect for religious texts is important, Chawla called for a balanced approach. She cautioned that focusing solely on emotional or religious issues would not address deeper societal challenges. Instead, she urged the government to prioritize education, employment, justice, and women’s safety to ensure comprehensive development in Punjab.