Chandigarh, Sept 28: In a major step towards building consensus on sacrilege legislation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met with the government’s seven-member advisory panel to ensure the proposed laws offer stringent protection for the dignity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Addressing the meeting in Chandigarh, the Chief Minister asserted that Sri Akal Takht Sahib holds supreme authority for the entire community. He stated that the government is fully open to examining all legitimate concerns raised regarding specific provisions of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, through mutual dialogue with the designated panel of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared that while amendments will be discussed comprehensively to achieve an amicable, constitutional resolution, the fundamental spirit of the Act—specifically strict penalties including life sentence and heavy financial fines—must remain intact. He affirmed that the drafting process involved legal luminaries to prevent future loopholes, ensuring perpetrators of sacrilege face the strictest possible punishment under the law.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that continuous coordination between both committees will lead to an outcome reflecting the collective sentiment of the Sikh Panth. Senior administrative officials, including Punjab Bureau of Investigation Director LK Yadav and legal consultants, were also present during the proceedings.
