Chandigarh, April 13
Punjab Assembly on Monday unanimously approved a bill that introduces tougher penalties including life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. The legislation was presented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a specially convened session of the state assembly on Monday.
The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes prison terms ranging from 10 years to life term, along with fines of between ₹5 lakh and ₹25 lakh. The government said that the bill’s aim is to discourage incidents of “beadbi”, or desecration, which have triggered tensions in the state in recent years. CM Mann thanked members across parties for backing the bill, describing it as a strong message against attempts to disturb social harmony.
He said the bill now requires the Governor’s approval and does not need to be sent to the president.
During the debate, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar said stricter punishment had long been demanded by the public.
Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa also supported the proposal, but questioned whether legal experts had been consulted before it was introduced. He called for further discussion on an earlier draft law and raised concerns about unresolved cases linked to the 2015 sacrilege incidents and subsequent police action in Faridkot.
The bill’s accompanying note says recent cases of desecration have threatened peace and communal relations, and argues that stronger penalties are needed to prevent such acts.
The state government has also maintained that provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita are not stringent enough to serve as an effective deterrent.
Religious figures, including former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, and AAP MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, were present during the proceedings.
