The Punjab Cabinet has approved strict amendments to the sacrilege law, enhancing penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment. Chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Cabinet passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill aims to impose harsher punishments to prevent acts of disrespect and uphold the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.
CM Mann announced the decision to include more stringent provisions against sacrilege during a special session, emphasizing that excuses like mental illness will not be valid defenses anymore. The revised law will enforce severe penalties and substantial fines. As this amendment builds upon an existing law, it can be enforced immediately without requiring the President’s approval.
The move follows previous sacrilege incidents that have deeply affected public sentiments and disrupted communal harmony. The current legal framework under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, lacks sufficient punitive measures to deter such offenses effectively.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema disclosed that the proposed legislation suggests fines ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Additionally, the law targets individuals orchestrating sacrilegious acts using mentally challenged persons as part of a conspiracy. Investigations into such cases will be handled by Deputy Superintendent of Police-level officers.
Cheema clarified that the law specifically pertains to sacrilege against the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, and does not extend to other religious texts. The Cabinet’s decision to amend the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, aims to reinforce legal measures for safeguarding religious sanctity and fostering mutual respect, understanding, and communal harmony within society.
The revised Bill is set to be presented in the Punjab Assembly on Monday during a special session scheduled for April 13. The government anticipates that the proposed legislation will serve as a strong deterrent, promoting peace and communal goodwill in the state.