Chandigarh, 19 April (H.S.): Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has given the go-ahead to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for its enactment into a law.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann shared the update on social media on Sunday, calling it a significant step. He said that the Hon’ble Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria has signed the bill passed in the Vidhan Sabha against the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Now, this bill has become law. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Waheguru for giving a humble person like me the opportunity to serve. I also thank the entire Sangat.
Under the new provisions of bill to sacrilege have been categorized as offences. These include intentionally tearing, burning, or damaging the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, spitting on it or handling it disrespectfully, placing it in conditions that harm its dignity, abandoning it in public places, stealing it or keeping it against religious norms, consuming alcohol, tobacco, or intoxicants in its presence and creating or sharing objectionable content related to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib on social media or other platforms.
This will ensure that anyone involved in sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib, or being part of such conspiracy will face punishment ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. Publishing of derogatory content against Guru Granth Sahib, too, will be considered an offence. The Act also paves way for imposing fines on the guilty, ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh and confiscation of their property.
The bill was unanimously passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13 under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. It is being seen as a major step toward maintaining religious harmony and curbing incidents of sacrilege.
However, for now, the law applies only to cases related to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The Chief Minister stated that consultations will be held with other religious communities to introduce similar provisions for them as well.
Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH
