The High Court on Tuesday issued a rule asking the government to explain within four weeks why it should not be directed to amend the law and introduce “reasonable punishment” for offences involving hurting of “religious sentiment”.
A bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Asif Hasan passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Md Golam Kibria.
The court directed the Secretary of the Law Ministry, the Cabinet Secretary, the Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, and other relevant authorities to submit their explanations by December 30.
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Advocate Golam Kibria said the existing provisions under Section 295A of the Bangladesh Penal Code and the recently enacted Cyber Security Act, 2025, prescribe a maximum punishment of only two years’ imprisonment for “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.”
“This punishment is grossly inadequate,” Kibria argued. “Because of such leniency, individuals feel emboldened to repeatedly insult Allah the Almighty and our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Recent examples, such as Baul folk artist Abul Sarkar, have deeply wounded the religious sentiments of millions of believers.”
The lawyer emphasised that the petition seeks the enactment of a new law or amendment that would make the maximum punishment commensurate with the gravity of the offence. “We have urged the court to direct the government to bring in the highest penalty permissible — so that no one dares to commit such blasphemy in future,” he added.
The writ was filed on November 30 and received permission for urgent hearing on Tuesday morning.