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The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday cleared the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, setting a mandatory 10-year to life imprisonment penalty for the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Saturday has approved a stringent amendment to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which will be presented in a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13, coinciding with Baisakhi—the foundation day of the Khalsa Panth.
The proposed legislation seeks to introduce harsher punishments, including life imprisonment, for acts of ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) against Sri Guru Granth Sahib, to act as a strong deterrent and preserve religious sanctity. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, with the government emphasising the need for stronger legal safeguards to address repeated incidents that have hurt public sentiments and disturbed social harmony.
Why the Amendment Was Proposed
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, several past incidents involving sacrilege of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and other holy scriptures have:
- Deeply hurt the sentiments of people
- Caused unrest and tension in society
- Exposed gaps in existing legal provisions
While Sections 298, 299, and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 deal with such offences, the government believes existing penalties are not stringent enough to deter such acts effectively.
Key Features of the Bill
The amended Bill proposes:
- Life imprisonment for those found guilty of beheading
- Stronger legal provisions to ensure strict enforcement
- Measures aimed at promoting communal harmony and mutual respect
The legislation amends the existing Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, reinforcing the legal framework around the protection of religious texts.
Significance of Baisakhi Session
The decision to introduce the Bill on April 13 (Baisakhi) carries symbolic importance, as the day marks the foundation of the Khalsa Panth, a cornerstone in Sikh history. The timing underscores the government’s intent to align the legislation with religious reverence and cultural significance.
Government’s Position
The Mann government maintained that the move is aimed at:
- Ensuring zero tolerance towards sacrilege
- Strengthening law and order in sensitive cases
- Upholding the dignity and sanctity of religious institutions
The Bill, once introduced and passed, is expected to become one of the strictest legal frameworks in the country dealing with offences against religious scriptures, particularly in Punjab, where such issues carry deep emotional and social implications.
