Chandigarh: As a mark of respect to Guru Granth Sahib, the Punjab Assembly led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, stipulating harsher punishment for ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege) of living Guru Sahib.
In a decisive and uncompromising move, the AAP government introduced life imprisonment for ‘beadbi’, creating one of the toughest legal frameworks in the country to deal with it.
Declaring the legislation as a historic correction of past regimes’ failures, the Chief Minister affirmed that the new law closes long-standing loopholes left by previous governments, ensures swift investigation, makes offences non-bailable, and prescribes stringent penalties ranging from five years to life imprisonment along with fines up to Rs 20 lakh, while holding even those aiding ‘beadbi’ equally accountable.
Drawing a sharp contrast with earlier regimes, he said, while Akali-BJP and Congress sought votes in the name of Guru Sahib, it “is the AAP government that has taken concrete steps to uphold the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib-ji and ensure that no one dares to commit such acts again”.
Participating in the debate, CM Mann said, “I assure the august House that this Bill marks the end of desecration in future as it will ensure that no one will ever dare to indulge in such heinous crime.” The Chief Minister said, “In the past, the dastardly acts of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib-ji were a deep-rooted conspiracy to disturb hard-earned peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state.”
Expressing grief and anguish over such ‘inhuman and heinous act’, he said it was a sin committed against humanity perpetrated by a handful of anti-social elements, who were hell-bent on disturbing peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state.
“The legislation will ensure that anyone found guilty of this unpardonable offence will not be spared at any cost, and exemplary action will be taken against them as a deterrent for others.”
He further said, “Punjabis have always upheld the ethos of peace and brotherhood in the state, and no one would ever be able to destroy the deep-knit social fabric of the state. Making a firm resolve to maintain peace and communal harmony at all costs, our government would thwart any such attempt, which can pose a danger to the communal harmony, progress and prosperity of the state.”
Emphasising the significance of the legislation, the Chief Minister said, “If Sri Guru Granth Sahib is not safe in Punjab, then where else can it be adding that this Bill is a historic milestone to check the ‘beadbi’.”
On the procedural aspect, he said, “As the Bill is a state bill, so Presidential assent will not be required in this case, adding the Bill will be sent to the Governor of the state after it has been passed by the state Assembly.”
(IANS)
