CHANDIGARH, APRIL 11 —To safeguard religious sentiments, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday gave its nod to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The proposed law seeks to deter acts of sacrilege through rigorous imprisonment and heavy fines, while specifically targeting the conspirators behind such incidents.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, while briefing the press, stated that the amendment aims to address gaps in the current legal system where perpetrators of sacrilege often escape with minor penalties. The Bill proposes a minimum of 10 years of imprisonment, extending to life, alongside fines up to ₹25 lakh. He maintained that after careful consideration, the government felt that stringent legal measures are essential to promote mutual respect and communal harmony among all followers.
“Maximum incidents were reported during the previous tenures, and those who rule in the name of religion did little to bring the perpetrators to book,” the Minister declared, affirming the current administration’s commitment to delivering justice. He added that the state-level legislation is intended to serve as a strong deterrent against any future attempts to disturb the peace through spiritual assaults. Investigations into such cases will reportedly be led by officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police to ensure a high level of scrutiny.
The meeting also resulted in a major infrastructure commitment for rural Punjab, with the approval of three lakh solar street lights for approximately 11,500 villages. The state government has pledged ₹380 crore toward the project, with the remaining ₹170 crore to be funded by the panchayats. Officials noted that the project would be implemented by the Punjab Energy Development Agency, aiming to modernize village lighting while reducing the financial burden on local bodies over the long term.
