CHANDIGARH, April 13 — A landmark move to deter religious desecration, the Punjab government has passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The legislation, which received unanimous support in the Vidhan Sabha, seeks to modernize and strengthen existing laws regarding the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Under the provisions of the Bill, individuals found guilty of sacrilege face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 25 years of incarceration. The financial penalties have also been scaled up to a maximum of ₹25 lakh. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asserted that the amendments are a necessary evolution of the 2008 Act to ensure the law remains a formidable deterrent.
“This is aimed at preventing sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib,” Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared during the session. He affirmed that the administration is focused on fulfilling the long-standing demand for justice and accountability in the state.
The debate in the House touched upon previous investigative reports, with some members questioning the delays in prosecuting those previously named in commission findings. Opposition leaders raised concerns regarding the legal pathway for the Bill’s implementation, though the government maintained that the Governor’s assent would be sufficient to enact the changes.
Chief Minister Mann further stated that the state’s efforts to protect religious sentiments would extend beyond this specific Bill. He noted that an ongoing review by a select committee would soon address legal frameworks for other holy books and historical incidents of unrest. The session, which began with tributes to historical figures and victims of past tragedies, concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining communal harmony through legislative strength.
