Panjab Assembly Passes Anti-Sacrilege Bill, Governor Nod Awaited

April

2026

The Panjab Legislative Assembly has passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (anti-sacrilege amendment, JJGGSS). The Bill proposes a minimum imprisonment of seven years, extendable up to 20 years, along with a fine ranging from USD 2,144–10,720 for desecration. For sacrilege carried out as part of a conspiracy to disturb communal harmony the punishment includes life imprisonment and fines up to USD 26.8K. Before passing the Bill, the government did not show the draft Bill to either the Opposition or the apex Sikh management body—Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The government also did not listen to SGPC’s and Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s (Eternal Throne) suggestion to pass a separate Bill against sacrilege and not amend the JJGGSS Act whose main intent is publication and handling of Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scripture and charter, GGS). Instead, the Bill has now limited the SGPC to maintain a register of records pertaining to printing, storage, distribution, and supply of the GGS saroops (tomes). While the Bill was passed unanimously, opposition members asked if the Bill will turn into an Act. The opposition’s concern stemmed from the fact that previous Shiromani Akali Dal-Bhartiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress (INC) governments had tabled anti-sacrilege Bills during their terms in 2016 and 2018, respectively. The Governor referred the Bills to the President of India whose assent is still pending. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann replied, 'As this is a State Bill, presidential assent is not required. If there is a delay by the Governor, I will personally urge him to expedite the process.' INC Member of Legislative Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira supported the Bill but asked why had the Aam Aadmi Party not delivered on its earlier promise to apprehend all those involved in previous incidents of sacrilege from 2015 onwards. Since 24 Feb, a protest is ongoing under the banner of Dharam Yudh Morcha (Principled Battle Front, DYM) at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Chowk in Samana town, Patiala district in support of Gurjeet Singh Khalsa who has been atop a telephone tower in a nearby park since 14 Oct 2024 demanding a strict sacrilege law. DYM organizers said Gurjeet will come down from the tower only when the Governor gives his nod and the Bill becomes an Act (earlier coverage).