In a major legislative development, the Punjab Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 unanimously during a special session. The bill, introduced by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, proposes stringent punishment including life imprisonment till death for offences related to sacrilege.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 clearly defines offences connected to the sacrilege of the ‘Swaroop’ (physical form) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He said the objective of the law is to ensure that such sensitive acts are dealt with firmly and do not recur in the future.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 is a State legislation passed by the Assembly, and its implementation now depends on procedural steps, including the Governor’s assent. He remarked that while political parties often approach the Governor with complaints, they should also engage constructively in ensuring timely administrative approvals.
Mann further said that if there is any delay from the Governor’s office, all stakeholders should work together to resolve the matter. He stressed that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 reflects a collective resolve of the House to take strict action against sacrilege incidents.
CM Says Strict Punishment Under Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 Will Deter Future Sacrilege Cases
Highlighting the intent behind the legislation, the Chief Minister said that making an example of even one or two offenders through strict punishment under the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 would serve as a strong deterrent for future generations, preventing such acts of sacrilege.
He also clarified provisions related to mental illness, stating that if a person suffering from mental illness is involved in sacrilege, responsibility may extend to their custodian, similar to legal principles applied in cases involving misuse of vehicles. He added that investigations under the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 would be completed in a time-bound manner to ensure swift justice.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the fine structure had been reviewed, including a previous penalty of ₹20 lakh, after consultations with legal experts and religious leaders during a meeting held in Amritsar on March 21. These revisions are part of strengthening the framework under the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026.
During the session, Mann also referred to the exclusion and later inclusion of Punjab’s tableau in the Republic Day Parade, stating that he personally intervened with the Union Home Minister to ensure representation, reflecting the state’s cultural and religious significance.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa supported the bill but demanded that the report of the Select Committee formed earlier be tabled in the House. He also raised concerns about delays in implementation and cited previous assurances made by the government regarding justice in sacrilege cases.
AAP MLA Baljinder Kaur said the day marks a historic moment, stating that Punjab’s identity is rooted in religious harmony and equal respect for all faiths. She said incidents of sacrilege have deeply hurt public sentiments and emphasized that successive governments had failed to deliver justice, while the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026 finally addresses long-pending demands.
AAP MLA and former minister Dr. Inderbir Nijjar also supported the legislation, stating that strict laws were necessary to prevent accused persons from easily securing bail under previous legal frameworks. He said there should be no ambiguity in dealing with sacrilege cases and that the new law strengthens legal deterrence.
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Meanwhile, Speaker of the House assured that the Select Committee report will be presented and that the issue of past incidents, including the Nakodar case, will also be examined. Pratap Singh Bajwa reiterated his demand for transparency and urged that the committee report be tabled at the earliest.
The Assembly also paid tributes to victims of the Vrindavan boat tragedy, devotees who died in a road accident in Kangra, former minister Lal Singh, and legendary singer Asha Bhosle, adopting a condolence motion in their memory.
With the passage of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Bill 2026, the Punjab government has taken a strong legislative step aimed at safeguarding religious sentiments and ensuring strict punishment for sacrilege, marking one of the most significant decisions of the current Assembly session.