CHANDIGARH, APRIL 11 — The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday approved the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing a mandatory sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment for the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. The legislation, which includes substantial financial penalties ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh, is scheduled to be tabled during a special session of the State Assembly on Monday.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the government decided to strengthen the existing state law by inserting specific sections to ensure the strictest possible punishment for those found guilty of desecration. He clarified that because the measure is an amendment to a state law, it would not require Presidential assent and will come into effect immediately upon passage. The Minister asserted that the new legal framework is also designed to hold the masterminds of such crimes accountable, noting that vulnerable individuals are often used as tools to commit these acts while the orchestrators evade justice.
“There have been several incidents in the past involving the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and other revered holy scriptures, which have deeply hurt public sentiments and caused unrest in society,” the Finance Minister affirmed. He noted that existing national statutes do not currently provide deterrents of sufficient severity to prevent such heinous crimes. The government maintained that the legislative move is a necessary administrative and moral response to protect the sanctity of the scripture and ensure social harmony.
Beyond legal reforms, the Cabinet also sanctioned a ₹550 crore project to install solar-powered street lights in 11,500 villages across the state. Under the approved cost-sharing model, the state government will contribute 70 percent of the funding, while local gram panchayats will provide the remaining 30 percent. This initiative is expected to improve rural infrastructure and enhance safety for residents while promoting sustainable energy.
