Chandigarh, April 20: Following recent legislative developments in Punjab, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has called upon the state and central governments to implement more stringent laws against the desecration of holy books. The committee asserted that harsher punishments are necessary to deter acts that deeply wound communal sentiments.
HSGMC President Jagdish Singh Jhinda stated that he has formally contacted Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the matter. He maintained that while the Punjab Government’s passage of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is a positive step, similar protections should be extended across India.
“We request the Haryana Government and the Central government to introduce a similar law,” Jhinda declared. He affirmed that any new legislation should be inclusive, covering the sacred texts of all faiths to ensure nationwide religious harmony.
The committee noted that a rise in sacrilege incidents over recent years has made stricter legal intervention a long-pending necessity. Jhinda stated that the move by Punjab was a direct response to global Sikh representations and declared that it is time for other administrations to follow suit.
Beyond legislative demands, the HSGMC reaffirmed its commitment to addressing internal administrative challenges. Officials maintained that a meeting will be convened shortly to deliberate on community issues and the future strategy for the committee’s governance.
