Punjab Assembly passes Bill with strict provisions against acts of sacrilege

The Punjab Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a Bill proposing stricter punishment, including life imprisonment and a fine up to ₹25 lakh, for any act of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs “considered a living Guru”.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann presented the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, during a special session of the Assembly.

Tabling the Bill, Mr. Mann said the draft law plugs long-standing loopholes left by previous governments. “If the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is not safe in Punjab, then where else can it be? This Bill is a historic milestone to check beadbi (sacrilege)’. Sri Guru Granth Sahibji is a repository of universal brotherhood, secularism, and socialism to guide the destiny of mankind. The message of Sri Guru Granth Sahibji is relevant across the globe to foster a sense of harmony, oneness, peace, and compassion among mankind,” he said.