Appeal for unity before the Sacrilege Bill

April 13, 2026

Chandigarh: Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has said that the state government will introduce a bill strengthening legal and judicial provisions to prevent incidents of sacrilege during the special session on Monday.

Speaking to the media after paying obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Shri Amb Sahib in Mohali, the Speaker also extended greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi.

Referring to Sikh history and values
Recalling the establishment of the Khalsa Panth, he said that the establishment of the Panch Pyaras by Guru Gobind Singh gave Sikhs a distinct identity, based on the principle of “Sarbat da Bhala.”

Speaking on the sensitive issue of sacrilege, Speaker Sandhwan said that past events have deeply pained the Sikh community. He said that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to punishing the culprits, but more stringent laws are needed to prevent such incidents in the future.

Status of Cases and Response
Giving information on the legal status of the Behbal Kalan and Bargari cases, the Speaker stated that investigations have been completed in almost all cases, and charges have been filed in court in all but one.

He stated that these cases are now in the judicial process. Regarding the objections raised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), he stated that there had been ample opportunities to raise these issues.

He also stated that those who failed to secure justice during their tenure are in no position to obstruct current efforts.

Strict Laws and Government’s Stand
The Speaker expressed hope that all members of the Assembly will rise above party politics and pass this bill unanimously.

He stated that this law is essential for maintaining social harmony, ensuring peace, and upholding the dignity of the Guru Granth Sahib.

A day earlier, after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the introduction of the “Jag Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026.”

The Chief Minister stated that incidents of desecration of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and other holy scriptures have hurt public sentiments and affected social harmony.

He explained that Sections 298, 299, and 300 of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, deal with such cases, but do not provide for stringent punishment. Therefore, the government has decided to take stringent legal action.

This amendment bill provides for punishments up to life imprisonment for those found guilty. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that this legislation will help prevent such incidents in the future and maintain peace and harmony in the state.