Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, approved a landmark amendment to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The new provisions introduce life imprisonment as the maximum punishment for the sacrilege (beadbi) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, marking a significant escalation in legal deterrents against such acts. The state government intends to introduce this Bill during a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha scheduled for Monday.
The decision follows a series of past sacrilege incidents that have caused widespread social unrest and deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the public. While current sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, address religious offences, the Mann government asserted that existing punishments are insufficient to prevent malicious actors. By enhancing the penalty to life imprisonment, the administration aims to uphold the sanctity of the holy scripture and safeguard communal harmony across the state.
This legislative move is designed to ensure that those found guilty of desecration face the most stringent consequences possible under the law. The Chief Minister’s Office stated that these appropriate legal measures are necessary to promote mutual respect and maintain peace in Punjab’s sensitive socio-religious landscape. The Cabinet emphasized that preserving the religious sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is a paramount duty of the state to prevent future disturbances and protect the psychological well-being of the faithful.
