Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Bhagwant Mann Government has officially implemented the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill’, with the Governor of Punjab granting assent to the legislation mandating life imprisonment for those found guilty of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan on Sunday, Cabinet Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema described the move as a decisive step to preserve communal harmony and uphold the sanctity of religious scriptures. “The history reflects a troubling pattern where incidents of beadbi occurred during the tenure of the Akali-BJP government, specifically citing the 1986 Nakodar incident and the 2015 Bargari and Behbal Kalan cases,” he added.
The Cabinet Minister added that successive regimes failed to ensure justice, saying, “Despite the formation of various commissions and Special Investigation Teams under previous governments, key evidence such as Action Taken Reports went missing and investigation files gathered dust, leaving the culprits and conspirators shielded from the law.”
Highlighting the shift since 2022, he said, “The Bhagwant Mann Government has worked tirelessly to accelerate investigations that remained stalled for decades. For the first time, high-profile figures who previously enjoyed political protection were forced to seek anticipatory bail from courts.” Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that every perpetrator, irrespective of social or political stature, will be brought to justice.
Explaining the provisions of the law, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The newly enacted law is designed to be comprehensive and watertight, leaving no loopholes for offenders to escape justice. The act not only targets those who physically commit acts of beadbi but also holds the masterminds and conspirators accountable.”
He further added, “Furthermore, the legislation addresses the common defense of ‘mental instability’ used to evade prosecution. Under the new provisions, if an individual under the care of a guardian commits such an act, the guardian or custodian can also be held liable for negligence, ensuring a higher level of accountability for the protection of the holy scripture.”
Concluding his address, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “This legislation marks the fulfillment of a major guarantee made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal to the people of Punjab. While previous governments collaborated to create weak laws that failed to stand legal scrutiny, the Bhagwant Mann Government has delivered a robust legal framework.”
He affirmed, “This act serves as a stern warning to any forces attempting to disrupt the peace and social fabric of Punjab, signaling a new era where the dignity of religious faith is protected by the absolute power of the state.”
