Punjab enacts strict anti-sacrilege law, life term

Punjab has taken a significant step as the Governor approved the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, making strict provisions including life imprisonment for acts of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib.

Government hails historic move

Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains welcomed the development, stating that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the bill introduced on April 13 has now become law after receiving the Governor’s assent. He termed it a strong step against sacrilege.

ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਦਾ ਕੋਟਾਨ-ਕੋਟਿ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਨਾ!🙏🏻

ਜਾਗਤ ਜੋਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਸਤਿਕਾਰ (ਸੋਧ) ਬਿਲ ਉੱਤੇ ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਰਾਜਪਾਲ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਹਸਤਾਖਰ

CM @BhagwantMann ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਹੇਠ 13 ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਲਿਆਂਦਾ ਬਿਲ ਹੁਣ ਬਣਿਆ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ

– @harjotbains
ਕੈਬਿਨੇਟ ਮੰਤਰੀ, ਪੰਜਾਬ pic.twitter.com/nWACYKwlDg

— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) April 19, 2026

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also expressed gratitude, calling it a blessing achieved through divine grace. He emphasised that walking the path of truth brings honour and thanked Waheguru for enabling this “invaluable service.”

ਸੱਚੇ ਮਾਰਗ ਚੱਲਦਿਆਂ ਉਸਤਿਤ ਕਰੇ ਜਹਾਨ।
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਐਕਟ ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਰਾਜਪਾਲ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੋਲ ਦਸਤਖ਼ਤਾਂ ਲਈ ਭੇਜਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਹੁਣ ਮਾਣਯੋਗ ਰਾਜਪਾਲ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਇਸ ਐਕਟ ਨੂੰ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਹੈ।
ਅਸੀਂ ਸਾਰੇ ਉਸ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਦਿਲੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਨਾ… pic.twitter.com/J6Nhn5bEpY

— Kultar Singh Sandhwan (@SpeakerSandhwan) April 19, 2026

Punjab Minister Baljit Kaur said the law reflects a firm commitment to protect religious sanctity and faith. She noted that with the Governor’s approval, strict monitoring will now be ensured in sacrilege cases and the guilty will face stringent punishment.

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਪਾਸ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ‘ਜਾਗਤ ਜੋਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ’ ਬਿੱਲ ਹੁਣ ਰਾਜਪਾਲ ਸਾਬ੍ਹ ਦੀ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਫ਼ੈਸਲਾ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਮਰਿਆਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਸਥਾ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਲਈ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਵਚਨਬੱਧਤਾ ਦਰਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੁਣ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਦੇ ਮਾਮਲਿਆਂ ’ਤੇ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਨਿਗਰਾਨੀ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ ਅਤੇ ਦੋਸ਼ੀਆਂ… pic.twitter.com/ieTNFshJx7

— Dr. Baljit Kaur (@DrBaljitAAP) April 19, 2026

Opposition questions intent

However, Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said that while the law is welcome, its impact depends on intent and implementation. He questioned whether it would act as a real deterrent or remain symbolic.

The assent to the Jagat Jyot SGGS Satkar Amendment Act is a welcome step, but laws mean little without intent and action.

If CM @BhagwantMann is serious, this must become a real deterrent against sacrilege—not just another headline.

Punjabis are still waiting for justice. When…

— Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) April 19, 2026

Bajwa raised concerns over pending justice in past sacrilege-linked cases such as Bargari, Behbal Kalan, and Kotkapura. He also pointed to the lack of action on findings associated with Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh.

He further criticised earlier promises by Arvind Kejriwal, noting that commitments of swift action have not yet translated into accountability.

The Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has received the assent of the Punjab Governor, making it a law aimed at ensuring strict punishment for acts of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema termed the development a historic step, stating that the government led by Bhagwant Mann has sent a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated. He added that where previous governments failed to act with courage, the current administration has taken decisive action to uphold justice and the honour of Guru Sahib.

The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has now received the assent of the H.E. Governor of Punjab.

This historic step by the government led by @BhagwantMann ensures strict punishment for sacrilege and sends a clear message—such acts will not be… pic.twitter.com/xLGc4jirka

— Adv Harpal Singh Cheema (@HarpalCheemaMLA) April 19, 2026

The law is expected to introduce stringent provisions, including severe penalties, to deter future incidents. The move has been projected by the government as part of its commitment to safeguarding religious sentiments and ensuring accountability in sacrilege-related cases.

Focus shifts to implementation

With the law now in force, attention turns to enforcement—whether it will ensure justice in past cases and act as a strong deterrent against future sacrilege incidents, or remain a legislative milestone without ground impact.