Punjab Governor Approves Amendment Bill to Protect Guru Granth Sahib
In a significant development, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has granted assent to 'The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill 2026'. This legislative move aims to strengthen penalties for acts of sacrilege against the holy scripture, marking a key step in the state's efforts to uphold religious sanctity.
Opposition Welcomes Bill but Calls for Concrete Action
Reacting to the news, Punjab's Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, termed it "a welcome step." However, in a post on social media platform X, he emphasized that "laws mean little without intent and action." Bajwa urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to ensure the bill becomes a real deterrent against sacrilege, rather than just another headline. He highlighted unresolved justice in cases like Bargari, Behbal Kalan, and Kotkapura, questioning why the report by Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh was buried without action and noting that promises to book the guilty within 48 hours have gone unfulfilled for 48 months.
Congress and BJP Leaders Express Hope and Demand Further Measures
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring welcomed the development, expressing hope that the Aam Aadmi Party government will now fulfill its promise to punish those guilty of sacrilege in Behbal Kalan and related incidents. In a written statement, Warring described the passing of the act as a delaying tactic by the AAP government and stated that with the governor's assent, the government has no excuses left. He urged action within the remaining nine months of its tenure if there is sincere intention to punish the guilty.
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar expressed gratitude to the governor in a social media message, noting that the law will impose strict punishment on those committing sacrilege against Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Jakhar also called for the Punjab government to bring a draft law concerning sacrilege of all religions—currently with a select committee—to the Assembly for enactment. He emphasized the need for legislation to prevent such acts across all faiths, including Hinduism, citing recent condemnable acts by divisive forces.
Government Hails Bill as Fulfillment of Guarantee
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema termed the governor's assent as "a decisive step to preserve communal harmony and uphold the sanctity of religious scriptures." He stated that this legislation fulfills a major guarantee made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal to the people of Punjab. Addressing a press conference, Cheema contrasted the current robust legal framework with previous governments' weak laws that failed legal scrutiny.
Cheema cited historical incidents like the 1986 Nakodar and 2015 Bargari and Behbal Kalan cases, criticizing the Shiromani Akali Dal for a troubling pattern of sacrilege during its tenure. He noted that despite commissions and Special Investigation Teams, evidence went missing and investigations stalled, shielding culprits. Since AAP took over in 2022, Cheema asserted that the government has accelerated long-stalled investigations, forcing high-profile figures to seek anticipatory bail and ensuring justice for all perpetrators, regardless of social or political stature.
Comprehensive Legislation with Enhanced Accountability
The newly enacted law is designed to be comprehensive and watertight, targeting not only those who physically commit acts of sacrilege but also holding masterminds and conspirators accountable. It addresses the common defence of 'mental instability' by making guardians or custodians liable for negligence if an individual under their care commits such an act, ensuring higher accountability for protecting the holy scripture.
Akali Dal Leader Calls for Strict Implementation
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema, when contacted, described the bill as "a good thing" and urged strict implementation now that it has been assented to.
