Punjab Government Notifies Rules Under Anti-Sacrilege Act
Chandigarh: The Punjab government is set to notify rules under the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, which aims to ensure strict punishment for deliberate acts of sacrilege while protecting granthis, sewadars, and bona fide religious activities from harassment and wrongful prosecution. The anti-sacrilege law, enacted on April 20 this year, establishes a legal mechanism to ensure that governance does not intrude into the realm of faith.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Rules
According to sources, the proposed rules specify that the Guru Granth Sahib, considered a living guru by devotees, and its parts (angs) will not ordinarily be summoned, detained, or produced before any court or authority at any stage of trial in sacrilege cases. A government functionary stated that documented evidence would be sufficient for legal proceedings.
The rules ensure that cases of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh religious code of conduct), including forensic handling and "agan bhet sewa" (consigning damaged saroops or angs to flames). Safeguards are provided to protect innocent custodians from malicious attempts by unscrupulous elements committing sacrilege with a guilty mind (mens rea) and wilful malicious intent.
A government functionary noted that the anti-sacrilege law is aimed at punishing individuals like Massa Ranghar, the 18th-century Mughal official infamous for desecrating the Golden Temple. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act Rules 2026 are in the final stage and will be notified shortly.
Protection for Custodians and Sewadars
The proposed rules also seek to protect custodians, granthis, pathis, and sewadars from wrongful prosecution. Before any coercive action is taken against a custodian or sewadar, the superintendent of police (investigation) must independently assess whether sufficient grounds exist for such action.
Panel for Observance of Rehat Maryada
A five-member committee will be constituted by the sub-divisional magistrate in consultation with the investigating officer to ensure observance of Rehat Maryada, including agan bhet sewa. This committee will aid and assist the investigating agency in conformity with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The committee will include a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the president and ex-president of the local gurdwara management committee, and a member and ex-member of the local gurdwara management committee.
Contentious Clauses
The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, and the SGPC, the top representative body of the Sikhs, have opposed some clauses in the law. They allege that certain provisions undermine the Guru Granth Sahib, the Khalsa Panth, and the sentiments of the Sikh community.
The anti-sacrilege law mandates the SGPC to maintain a central register tracking the printing, storage, distribution, and supply of saroops of Guru Granth Sahib in physical and electronic form. According to the proposed rules, the SGPC will be required to keep this data on its central registry and record-keeping system on its website in encrypted form. The record will not be available in the public domain. The proposed rules stipulate that the SGPC will provide records as requisitioned by the investigating agency. Additionally, the SGPC will take measures to protect the privacy of individual custodians of Guru Granth Sahib's saroops. The SGPC will use a unique identification number, encrypted through modern techniques, assigned and printed on each saroop or ang of the Guru Granth Sahib.
The functionary stated that the SGPC already possesses all records and it is merely a matter of uploading them in encrypted form. While the law stipulates that the SGPC upload the records within 45 days of the commencement of the Act and update them monthly thereafter, the clause regarding encrypted form in the proposed rules likely means the 45-day period will begin from the date of notification of the rules.
Procedure for Forensics and Investigation
The proposed rules outline detailed procedures for forensics, investigation, scene-of-crime management, and use of e-Sakshya procedures while ensuring respectful handling of the saroops and angs of Guru Granth Sahib. The rules also spell out investigation procedures in cases of digital sacrilege.
Penalties Under the Anti-Sacrilege Law
According to the anti-sacrilege law, offences against Guru Granth Sahib carry a minimum of seven years of imprisonment, extending up to 20 years, with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Sacrilege involving criminal conspiracy and an intention to disrupt peace or communal harmony carries a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, with fines up to Rs 25 lakh.
