Chandigarh: A key legislative proposal aimed at strengthening penalties for sacrilege-related offences in Punjab has reached the final stage, with the state government forwarding the amendment Bill to the Governor for approval.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been sent to Gulab Chand Kataria, whose assent is now required for it to become law.
The proposed amendment, which was unanimously cleared by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha earlier this week, seeks to introduce stringent punishment provisions for acts of sacrilege and related conspiracies involving the Guru Granth Sahib. As per the Bill, offenders could face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life.
Mann had earlier clarified that since the legislation modifies an existing state law—the 2008 Act—it does not require the President’s approval and can be enacted once the Governor signs off.
The Bill received broad support in the Assembly, although Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganeive Kaur Majithia was not present during the proceedings. Meanwhile, dissident legislators Manpreet Singh Ayali and Dr Sukhwinder Sukhi backed the measure.
Attention is now focused on Raj Bhavan, as stakeholders await the Governor’s decision on the legislation, which carries significant religious and political sensitivity in the state.
