Chandigarh: The Jagat Jyoti Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which was passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13 and received the Governor’s assent on April 18, has been challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Simranjit Singh from Jalandhar alleges that the Act violates the country’s secular principles. The petitioner argues that the legislation is unconstitutional as it provides exclusive legal protection to the holy scripture of a specific religion while excluding the religious texts of other faiths, which contradicts the basic structure of the Constitution.
The legal challenge also raises a significant procedural objection regarding the required approvals for such a law. The petitioner contends that since the amendment introduces life imprisonment—a provision that overlaps with the central Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—it necessitated the President of India’s assent rather than just the Governor’s approval. By notifying the Act solely with the Governor’s consent, the petitioner argues that the Punjab government has bypassed necessary constitutional protocols. This development follows years of public unrest and protests in the state, including a recent long-standing demonstration in Samana, where activists demanded stricter deterrence against “beadbi” (sacrilege).
The 2026 Act introduced significantly harsher penalties compared to existing central laws. Under the new provisions, criminal conspiracy to commit sacrilege or direct desecration through physical or digital means is punishable with 10 years to life imprisonment and fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh. For direct acts of sacrilege, the law prescribes 7 to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, while attempts to commit such acts can lead to 3 to 5 years in jail. The High Court is expected to hear the petition in the coming days, which could have far-reaching implications for the state’s legislative authority over religious offences.
