Chandigarh: During a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly on Monday, April 13, 2026, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a major decision to make all vehicles carrying holy scriptures of any religion tax-free. Coinciding with the historic occasion of Baisakhi and the Khalsa Sirjana Diwas, the Chief Minister stated that vehicles dedicated to the service of religious texts, such as the Palki Sahib, will no longer be subject to road tax or other government fees, honoring the faith and sentiments of the people.
The session primarily focused on strengthening laws against religious desecration. The state government introduced and unanimously passed the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026’. This landmark legislation proposes stringent punishments, including life imprisonment and significant fines, for those found guilty of sacrilege. Chief Minister Mann clarified that the law is comprehensive, covering not only physical desecration but also acts committed via digital media and electronic platforms.
The bill received support from across the political spectrum within the House. Addressing the assembly, CM Mann asserted that while previous administrations had engaged in vote-bank politics regarding sensitive issues, his government is committed to restoring religious decorum and maintaining communal harmony. He expressed confidence that the new legal framework would act as a powerful deterrent against anti-social elements and further strengthen the social fabric of Punjab.
