SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB, MAY 7 — Asserting that the era of lenient punishment for sacrilege has ended, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a religious procession from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib on Wednesday. The “Shukrana Yatra” marks the implementation of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026, which mandates that anyone found guilty of “beadbi” will spend the remainder of their life in prison.
The Chief Minister declared that the legislation is a response to deep-rooted conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the state’s social fabric. He stated that the Guru Granth Sahib Ji holds the status of a living Guru and a father figure to every Sikh, making its protection a primary duty of the government. He maintained that the global response to the Act has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the spiritual bond shared by the community.
“If anyone now dares to commit beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, they will have to spend their entire life in jail,” Chief Minister Mann stated. He affirmed that the sole motive of the yatra is to thank the Almighty for the courage required to pass the Act. He also noted that while the people are celebrating, some political elements continue to oppose the law to protect their own vested interests and mask previous sins.
During his address, the Chief Minister recalled his efforts as a parliamentarian to bring Sikh history to the forefront of national discourse, including securing tributes for the Chotta Sahibzadas in the Lok Sabha. He declared that his administration remains committed to the holistic development of Punjab’s holy cities, including Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Anandpur Sahib. He affirmed that there is no shortage of resources for projects that honor the state’s spiritual heritage.
The yatra will move through the heart of Punjab over the next three days. The Chief Minister affirmed that the journey is a personal pilgrimage of thanks, stating, “I am a humble servant of Guru Sahib who has been entrusted with this task.” The march is set to conclude on May 9 at Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, following visits to several major Takhts and Gurdwaras across the region.
