CHANDIGARH, April 19, 2026: Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has given his formal assent to the anti-sacrilege bill, officially establishing the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Satkar Act, 2026. The legislation, which was previously passed with unanimous support in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, aims to curb incidents of desecration by introducing stringent legal consequences for offenders and conspirators.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed the development on Sunday, stating that the law is now in full effect across the state. In a message to the public, the Chief Minister maintained that the enactment of this bill was a priority for his administration to ensure the dignity of the holy scripture. “Now this bill has become law,” Mann stated, while expressing his gratitude to the Sikh Sangat for their support and to the Almighty for the opportunity to fulfill this legislative commitment.
The state government has positioned the new law as a definitive response to past failures in addressing sacrilege. Cabinet Minister Baljeet Kaur affirmed that the act will serve as a barrier against those attempting to incite communal tension. She stated that the Mann government has succeeded where previous regimes faced criticism for inaction. “This law will ensure strict punishment and promote communal harmony by preventing any attempts to spread hatred in the name of religion,” Kaur maintained.
Echoing these sentiments, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains declared the moment as auspicious for all who revere the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He affirmed that the law reflects the deep-seated faith of the people and provides a necessary shield against divisive forces. Bains stated that the enactment on the heels of the Vaisakhi session underscores the government’s sincerity in handling religious matters.
Legislative leaders, including MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar and MP Malvinder Singh Kang, asserted that the law would instill a sense of accountability and fear among potential offenders. Kang stated that the act fulfills a global demand from the Sikh community for a robust legal framework. Meanwhile, MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal maintained that the new provisions offer superior protection for the scripture, marking a proud milestone for Punjab’s legislative history.
