On Saturday, the Punjab Cabinet sanctioned significant amendments to an existing sacrilege law, aiming to impose harsher penalties, including life imprisonment, to prevent acts of ‘beadbi’ and protect the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.
During a meeting led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Cabinet approved the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which introduces fines ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. The government’s initiative is grounded in Sikh beliefs, which honor the scripture as a perpetual Guru, hence the Bill specifically addresses sacrilege related to this sacred text.
An official statement remarked that there have been numerous instances of ‘beadbi’ involving the Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts, which have significantly affected public sentiments and caused societal unrest. While existing laws under Sections 298, 299, and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita address these offenses, they do not impose sufficiently severe punishments to serve as a true deterrent. Therefore, the necessity for stronger legal provisions to protect religious sanctity and foster communal harmony has been emphasized.
After thorough deliberation, the Mann administration concluded that robust legal frameworks are essential to maintain the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib and to encourage mutual respect and understanding within society.
Following the meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema informed the press that the Bill would not need the President of India’s approval but would require the Governor’s consent before being presented at a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on Monday.
Cheema further noted that the legislation includes penalties for individuals who orchestrate sacrilege through a person with mental challenges as part of a conspiracy. Investigations into these sacrilege incidents will be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, he added.
In response to inquiries about whether the law would extend to other religious texts, Cheema clarified that it is focused solely on sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. He expressed optimism that the proposed legislation would effectively deter malicious acts and contribute to maintaining peace and communal goodwill in Punjab.
Addressing concerns raised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Cheema stated that the committee had been offered a chance to share its perspectives before a select committee but did not take part in the discussions.
Attempts by previous administrations to implement stricter anti-sacrilege laws have been met with challenges. In 2016 and 2018, the Punjab Assembly passed Bills aimed at introducing harsher penalties, including life imprisonment for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib; however, these Bills failed to become law due to lack of presidential consent or were abandoned amid legal issues.
The public demand for stringent legislation has often been voiced through protests, including a notable incident where a radical Sikh activist conducted a prolonged demonstration atop a BSNL tower in Samana, advocating for a robust anti-sacrilege law. He has remained there for over a year.
The issue of sacrilege continues to be a sensitive topic in Punjab, especially following the 2015 Bargari sacrilege and Behbal Kalan shooting incidents that incited widespread unrest. In this context, the Mann government’s recent initiative is perceived as another effort to enact a law that has been elusive for past administrations, despite the ongoing challenge of ensuring its legal viability.
