Chandigarh: The Punjab Bureau of Investigation (BOI) has issued detailed guidelines directing police officers to use respectful and standardised Sikh religious terminology while investigating and reporting alleged sacrilege cases.
According to a circular, investigations into sacrilege cases must be conducted with “complete sensitivity and impartiality”, while ensuring respect for religious sentiments and avoiding any language or action that could be perceived as disrespectful.
The circular, issued by BOI Director L.K. Yadav, includes a glossary of more than 50 approved religious terms and their meanings for official use in police records and investigations.
The directions have been circulated to senior police officers across Punjab, including the Special DGPs of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Government Railway Police (GRP), Internal Security and Cyber Crime, the Additional DGPs of the NRI and AGTF wings, all IGPs, DIGs, Police Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and officers of the State Crime Police Station.
Among the approved terminology listed in the circular are “Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”, “Paavan Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”, “Beerh Sahib”, “Paavan Ang”, “Gurdwara Sahib”, “Panj Pyare”, “Hukamnama”, “Akhand Paath”, “Ardas”, “Amrit Sanchar”, “Kirtan”, “Langar”, “Dastar”, “Shaheadat” and “Beadbi”, among several other Sikh religious terms.
The Bureau said the initiative is intended to promote consistency in official communication and ensure that investigations involving religious matters are handled with due sensitivity and respect for Sikh religious practices and beliefs.
