CHANDIGARH, APRIL 17 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha has officially submitted the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria for final approval. The move follows the unanimous passage of the legislation in the state assembly earlier this week, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to curb incidents of sacrilege.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann confirmed the transmission of the bill to the Punjab Raj Bhawan, stating that the proposed changes aim to introduce more stringent penalties for those involved in sacrilege or related conspiracies. The amendment specifically targets offenses against Sri Guru Granth Sahib, introducing a punishment range from 10 years to life imprisonment.
The Chief Minister affirmed that because the bill is an amendment to a state act—the original Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act of 2008—it does not require the assent of the President of India. He maintained that the Governor’s approval will be sufficient for the bill to be enacted into law. The legislation was passed on April 13 during a session where it received broad support from various political quarters.
While the session saw the absence of some members, including Ganieve Kaur Majithia, others such as Manpreet Singh Ayali and Dr. Sukhwinder Sukhi declared their support for the measure. The state government noted that the bill reflects the deep religious sentiments of the people of Punjab and serves as a necessary deterrent against communal disharmony.
