Punjab anti-sacrilege bill becomes law after governor's assent
Punjab anti sacrilege bill: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave his assent to the anti-sacrilege Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving way for enactment into a law.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday shared this. “Now this will be enacted… From a humble person like me, a billion thanks to Waheguru for giving me this opportunity to serve Him. I also extend my gratitude to the entire Sikh sangat for supporting me,” he said in his social media post.
The law ensures that anyone involved in committing sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, or conspiring in such acts, can face punishment ranging from 10 years in prison to life imprisonment. It also makes publishing offensive or derogatory content about the Guru Granth Sahib a punishable offence. In addition, the Act allows for fines between ₹5 lakh and ₹25 lakh, along with the possibility of property confiscation. Investigations in such cases will be handled by officers of the rank of DSP or above.
Since the original 2008 law grants the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee exclusive rights to print and publish the Guru Granth Sahib, the amended Act now makes it mandatory for the SGPC to maintain records both in physical and digital formats. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha had forwarded the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to the Governor last week for approval.
The government led by Bhagwant Mann had earlier maintained that, as this was an amendment to a state law, it did not require approval from the President and only needed the Governor’s assent. The Bill was passed unanimously by the assembly on April 13.
- PTC NEWS
