The Punjab Tahaffuz-e-Bunyaad-e-Islam Act 2020 passed by the Punjab Assembly on 22 July 2020 is a bad law which seeks to achieve two sinister objects. One, it attacks some of the fundamental tenets of Shi’ism which makes it sectarian in nature. Thus it seems to be aimed at curbing religious freedoms of the followers of Shi’ism in Punjab. Two, it prescribes unprecedented and insurmountable restrictions on the trade of book publishing, import and sale in Punjab, as well as on freedom of speech including academic freedom. The law prescribes a mandatory review by and permission from the government before import, distribution and sale of all books in any form whatsoever. Read More…
