Punjab News Daily
Chandigarh, April 13

As a mark of respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, the Punjab Assembly led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, thereby stipulating harsher punishment for beadbi (sacrilege) of living Guru Sahib. In a decisive and uncompromising move, the Bhagwant Mann government has introduced life imprisonment for beadbi, creating one of the toughest legal frameworks in the country to deal with beadbi.

Declaring the legislation as a historic correction of past regimes’ failures, the Chief Minister affirmed that the new law closes long-standing loopholes left by previous governments, ensures swift investigation, makes offences non-bailable, and prescribes stringent penalties ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment along with fines up to Rs 20 lakh, while holding even those aiding beadbi equally accountable.

Drawing a sharp contrast with earlier regimes, he stated that while Akali-BJP and Congress sought votes in the name of Guru Sahib, it is the AAP Government that has taken concrete steps to uphold the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and ensure that no one dares to commit such acts again.

Participating in the debate, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I assure the august house that this bill marks the end of desecration in future as it will ensure that no one will ever dare to indulge in such heinous crime.”

The Chief Minister said, “In the past the dastardly acts of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was a deep rooted conspiracy to disturb hard earned peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state. Expressing profound grief and anguish over such ‘inhuman and heinous act’, it was a sin committed against humanity perpetrated by a handful of anti-social elements, who were hell bent upon to disturb peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state. The act will ensure that anyone found guilty in this unpardonable offence will not be spared at any cost and exemplary action would be taken against them as a deterrent for others.”

He further said, “Punjabis have always upheld the ethos of peace and brotherhood in the state and no one would be ever able to destroy the deep knitted social fabric of the state. Making firm resolve to maintain peace and communal harmony at all costs, our government would thwart any such attempt, which can pose a danger to the communal harmony, progress and prosperity of the state. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is the father of every Sikh and the state government is duty bound to ensure the safety of this holy granth.”

Emphasising the significance of the legislation, the Chief Minister affirmed, “If Sri Guru Granth Sahib is not safe in Punjab then where else can it be adding that this Act is a historic milestone to check the beadbi. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji was a repository of universal brotherhood, secularism and socialism to guide the destiny of mankind. The message and philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is relevant across the globe to foster the sense of harmony, oneness, peace and compassion amongst mankind.”

Highlighting its spiritual importance, he said, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji remains an eternal source of inspiration, guidance and solace in our daily lives adding that Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji has always motivated us to follow the path of piety and righteousness. Likewise, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji has taught us the virtues of sacrifice and forgiveness and instilled in us the values of love, tolerance and universal brotherhood. Every one of us drew inspiration from Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji where equality of mankind, righteousness and justice was the order of the day.”

CM Bhagwant Singh added, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is a unique religious scripture in the world that contains not only the teachings of the Sikh Gurus but also the hymns of Hindu devotees, Muslim saints, and Sufi mystics. The Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, conferred Guruship upon Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, recognizing it as the eternal Guru before his passing. The concept of ‘Shabad Guru’ holds immense significance in our lives as in every Sikh’s life from birth, marriage till death guidance and support are sought from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.”

Quoting Gurbani, he said, “Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat. The great Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother. The great Gurus had taught us the way to life more than 600 years ago which is still relevant. As Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a living Guru so every Punjabi in general and Sikh in particular respect them and obey their every verse.”

The Chief Minister asserted, “Ironically earlier the Acts were drafted only while keeping in view the political interests rather than the larger public interest. It is ironic that Anand Marriage Act is there in Tamil Nadu, Delhi and even in Pakistan but it is nowhere in Punjab. This Act will ensure that anyone who indulges in the heinous crime of sacrilege will be dealt with sternly and even their coming generations will remember the punishment given to their family members.”

On the procedural aspect, he said, “As the bill was a state bill so Presidential assent will not be required in this case adding that the bill will be sent to the Governor of the state after it has been passed by the state assembly. In case it takes time from the Governor then he will himself call on him and urge him to clear it immediately. Most of the time the opposition pays visits to the Governor for lodging complaints against him but if these parties wish they can accompany him for this noble cause too.”

He further said, “The representative of the family which had felicitated General Dyer, the perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, by hosting a dinner for him after this heinous incident is not in the house. They preferred to abstain from the house because they were bound to be exposed. The hands of these leaders are drenched with the blood of the innocent people and even the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.”

CM Bhagwant Singh stated, “Those who are responsible for the sacrilege appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and admitted their crime in the full public glare. However, as it doesn’t suit their political ambitions they took a U turn after some time and said that some people were playing in the hands of central agencies to defame them. The entire state knows the real face of these leaders who have always misled the people through their political gimmicks.”

The Chief Minister noted, “The Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht Sahib have been selected from their pockets and as per their whims and fancies, which is unpardonable. These leaders felicitated and honored the anti-Sikh forces with the top posts in their government which has always hurt the Sikh sentiments. Fakar-e-Qaum was given to a leader who had patronized the perpetrators of Nakodar incident, sacrileges, that of firing in the Behbal Kalan and Kotakpura or had reduced SGPC to mere puppet.”