Chandigarh: Punjab has brought into force a stringent law aimed at curbing incidents of sacrilege, with the state Governor Gulab Chand Kataria granting approval to the legislation recently passed by the Assembly.
The new law, titled the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduces severe penalties, including life imprisonment and substantial fines, for those found guilty of desecrating the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਸ ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ ਬਿੱਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਰਾਜਪਾਲ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਲਾਬ ਚੰਦ ਕਟਾਰੀਆ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਦਸਤਖ਼ਤ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਹਨ..ਹੁਣ ਇਹ ਬਿੱਲ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ..ਮੇਰੇ ਵਰਗੇ ਨਿਮਾਣੇ ਤੋਂ ਇਹ ਸੇਵਾ ਲੈਣ ਲਈ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਕੋਟਿਨ- ਕੋਟ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ..ਸਮੂਹ ਸੰਗਤ ਦਾ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਨਾ.. pic.twitter.com/IaR9IYh4ol
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) April 19, 2026
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirmed the development through a public message, stating that the legislation has now attained legal status and will soon be formally notified for implementation.
The Act outlines a range of actions that will be treated as sacrilege. These include deliberate damage to the holy scripture, disrespectful handling, abandonment in inappropriate places, theft, and the use of intoxicants in its presence. It also criminalises the circulation of offensive or derogatory content related to the scripture through digital or public platforms.
Under the new provisions, offences are classified as cognizable and non-bailable, signalling a zero-tolerance approach by the state government. Convictions could lead to imprisonment for the remainder of a person’s life, along with fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
The legislation was passed unanimously during a special session held around the time of Vaisakhi, reflecting broad political support for stricter safeguards against religious disrespect.
However, the current scope of the law is limited to the protection of the Sikh holy scripture and does not extend to texts or places of worship of other religions. The Chief Minister indicated that a broader framework covering other faiths may be considered in the future after consultations with various communities.
The enactment of this law marks a significant development in Punjab’s legal and social landscape, with authorities emphasising the importance of maintaining religious harmony while addressing sensitive issues with strict legal backing.
