As a mark of respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, the Punjab Assembly led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, thereby stipulating harsher punishment for beadbi (sacrilege) of living Guru Sahib. In a decisive and uncompromising move, the Bhagwant Mann Government has introduced life imprisonment for beadbi, creating one of the toughest legal frameworks in the country to deal with beadbi.
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 5 years to life imprisonment along with fines up to ₹20 lakh, while holding even those aiding beadbi equally accountable.
Drawing a sharp contrast with earlier regimes, he stated that 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 Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and ensure that no one dares to commit such acts again.
Participating in the debate, CM Bhagwant Singh 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 was a deep rooted conspiracy to disturb hard earned peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state. Expressing profound grief and anguish over such ‘inhuman and heinous act’, it was a sin committed against humanity perpetrated by a handful of anti-social elements, who were hell bent upon to disturb peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state. The act will ensure that anyone found guilty in this unpardonable offence will not be spared at any cost and exemplary action would 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 be ever able to destroy the deep knitted social fabric of the state. Making 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. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is the father of every Sikh and the state government is duty bound to ensure the safety of this holy granth.”
Emphasising the significance of the legislation, the Chief Minister affirmed, “If Sri Guru Granth Sahib is not safe in Punjab then where else can it be adding that this Act is a historic milestone to check the beadbi. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji was a repository of universal brotherhood, secularism and socialism to guide the destiny of mankind. The message and philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is relevant across the globe to foster the sense of harmony, oneness, peace and compassion amongst mankind.”
Highlighting its spiritual importance, he said, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji remains an eternal source of inspiration, guidance and solace in our daily lives adding that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji has always motivated us to follow the path of piety and righteousness. Likewise, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji has taught us the virtues of sacrifice and forgiveness and instilled in us the values of love, tolerance and universal brotherhood. Every one of us drew inspiration from Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji where equality of mankind, righteousness and justice was the order of the day.”
CM Bhagwant Singh added, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is a unique religious scripture in the world that contains not only the teachings of the Sikh Gurus but also the hymns of Hindu devotees, Muslim saints, and Sufi mystics. The Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, conferred Guruship upon Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, recognizing it as the eternal Guru before his passing. The concept of ‘Shabad Guru’ holds immense significance in our lives as in every Sikh’s life from birth, marriage till death guidance and support are sought from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.”
Quoting Gurbani, he said, “Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat. The great Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother. The great Gurus had taught us the way to life more than 600 years ago which is still relevant. As Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a living Guru so every Punjabi in general and Sikh in particular respect them and obey their every verse.”
The Chief Minister asserted, “Ironically earlier the Acts were drafted only while keeping in view the political interests rather than the larger public interest. It is ironic that Anand Marriage Act is there in Tamil Nadu, Delhi and even in Pakistan but it is nowhere in Punjab. This Act will ensure that anyone who indulges in the heinous crime of sacrilege will be dealt with sternly and even their coming generations will remember the punishment given to their family members.”
On the procedural aspect, he said, “As the bill was a state bill so Presidential assent will not be required in this case adding that the bill will be sent to the Governor of the state after it has been passed by the state assembly. In case it takes time from the Governor then he will himself call on him and urge him to clear it immediately. Most of the time the opposition pays visits to the Governor for lodging complaints against him but if these parties wish they can accompany him for this noble cause too.”
He further said, “The representative of the family which had felicitated General Dyer, the perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, by hosting a dinner for him after this heinous incident is not in the house. They preferred to abstain from the house because they were bound to be exposed. The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of the innocent people and even the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.”
CM Bhagwant Singh stated, “Those who are responsible for the sacrilege appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and admitted their crime in the full public glare. However, as it doesn’t suit their political ambitions they took a U turn after some time and said that some people were playing in the hands of central agencies to defame them. The entire state knows the real face of these leaders who have always misled the people through their political gimmicks.”
The Chief Minister noted, “The Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht Sahib have been selected from their pockets and as per their whims and fancies, which is unpardonable. These leaders felicitated and honored the anti-Sikh forces with the top posts in their government which has always hurt the Sikh sentiments. Fakar-e-Qaum was given to a leader who had patronized the perpetrators of Nakodar incident, sacrileges, that of firing in the Behbal Kalan and Kotakpura or had reduced SGPC to mere puppet.”
He further said, “Such leaders who have bruised the psyche of every Sikh through such dastardly Acts don’t deserve the top title of the community. Not even a single act of these leaders is praiseworthy and there is nothing which we people can feel proud of them or their legacy. These opportunist leaders had just used the Sikh panth for their vested political interests and had done nothing to punish the guilty of sacrilege.”
He emphasised, “It is unfortunate that loopholes were kept in the acts drafted by the state government four times and by even those who had sworn by Gutka Sahib to punish the culprits of this heinous crime. This Fifth Amendment will be final and will put to end all the activities that are aimed at disrespecting our eternal Guru. Unfortunately some stone hearted people disrespect this repository of knowledge which is unacceptable and intolerable.”
Detailing the provisions, he said, “The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008 has been now amended as the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to promote communal harmony and national unity and to provide stricter punishments, including life imprisonment, for acts of desecration. Most of the time it has been noticed that the perpetrator of this act pretends to be mentally upset but the act stipulates that even the guardians of such a person will be booked for this unpardonable crime. The definition of ‘Custodian’ has been introduced, making each custodian fully responsible for the safe custody, protection, and prevention of misuse or loss (Section 3B).”
He added, “Provisions have been made to ensure timely and efficient investigation of cases (Section 4A) and the offences under this law will be Non-bailable and Non-compoundable (Section 4B). As per the act punishments have been enhanced with fine up to ₹20 lakh and imprisonment up to life imprisonment (Section 5). Offences have been categorized into five types as violation of provisions of the Act will invite punishment up to 5 years imprisonment and ₹10 lakh fine.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Desecration of the Holy Scripture will be liable for 7 to 20 years imprisonment and fine ranging to ₹2 to ₹10 lakh adding that desecration with intent to disturb social or religious harmony will invite punishment of 10 years to life imprisonment and ₹5–25 lakh fine. Abetment will also invite punishment similarly as the main offence and attempt to commit offence will be liable for 3 to 5 years of imprisonment and ₹1–3 lakh as fine. The proposed legislation will act as a strong deterrent against such malicious acts and will help maintain peace, communal harmony, and respect for religious sentiments in the state.”
Meanwhile, he said, “He is fortunate that in a bid to pay great reverence and respect to the sacred Religious Scriptures of every religion, the state government led by him has given nod to exempt especially designed vehicles for carrying the Parkash of Religious Scriptures of different religions in the state from Motor Vehicle Taxes (MVT).”
He pointed out, “The exemption for these vehicles have been given in view of the Nagar Kirtans/Harinaam performed by various religious organizations which act as a catalyst to promote ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood. This exemption has been given on specially designed Motor Vehicles used in their religious ceremonies or religious events to provide a lot of financial relief to all religious organizations.”
Recalling his tenure as Lok Sabha Member, he said, “During his stint as Lok Sabha Member, the house had paid tributes to chotta sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh ji on their martyrdom day after he had pursued the matter with then Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. The entire state observes that month as ‘month of mourning’ as the Chotta Sahibzadas were bricked alive by the tyrant rulers during these days. More than 190 MPs had represented the state before him but none of them had ever bothered to raise this issue.”
He added, “He was fortunate to have got the opportunity to commemorate the 350th Shaheedi Diwas day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji and 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass ji. Our government will leave no stone unturned for celebrating the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass ji in an unsurpassed manner adding that it is our collective duty to spread the message of Guru ji across the globe. Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj ji had envisioned an egalitarian society free from any sort of discrimination.”
The Chief Minister further said, “Year long events have been chalked out to celebrate the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj ji, who gave the message of welfare of the entire humanity, equality of all the sections of the society thus creating a society based on egalitarian values. Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji laid out the concept of such an ideal society where nobody undergoes suffering of any kind. The state government has sought the blessings and suggestions from the Sant Samaj for commemorating 650th parkash Purab in a befitting manner across the globe.”
Concluding, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It was a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him that these celebrations were being held during his tenure. His government will ensure that the celebrations are held in the most befitting manner with full religious fervor and gaiety. He had urged the representatives of Sant Samaj to lead the state by giving their suggestions and inputs for crystallizing the concept and programs for the celebrations.”
