Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann delivered a powerful address in the Punjab Legislative Assembly on Monday, April 13, 2026, while presenting the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026. He asserted that acts of sacrilege are frequently part of larger conspiracies to incite communal violence rather than isolated incidents involving mentally unstable individuals. To close existing legal loopholes, the Chief Minister announced that under the new law, if a person with a mental illness is involved in such an act, their legal custodian will also be held accountable, comparing it to a vehicle owner being penalized for an unlicensed driver’s actions.
The Chief Minister provided a significant clarification on the nature of the proposed punishment, stating that “life imprisonment” under this legislation will mean incarceration until the convict’s natural death, rather than a standard 14-year term. He further emphasized that those convicted of sacrilege will be ineligible for routine government remissions usually granted on Independence Day or Republic Day. Crucially, the bill ensures that masterminds and conspirators behind these acts will face the same severe charges as the actual perpetrators, making them directly liable for life imprisonment.
Beyond punitive measures, the bill mandates the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to maintain meticulous records regarding the printing, storage, and distribution of the Guru Granth Sahib. CM Mann also touched upon the commercialization of Gurbani, suggesting that its broadcast should be free from advertisements for 30 minutes before and after the telecast. Calling the legislation a historic step, the Chief Minister urged the opposition to support the bill unanimously and even quipped that those who frequently visit the Governor should join him in securing the necessary assent for this law.
