Panjab Governor’s Nod to Anti-Sacrilege Bill

April

2026

Panjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has given his go-ahead to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill (JJGGSS), 2026, paving the way for its enactment into law. The Act 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 of Sikh scriptures. 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. While passing the JJGGSS Bill, Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sidelined the apex Sikh management body the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and took the support from Sant Samaj (SS). SS is a collective term for various deras (sects), sampradais (traditional schools of thought), and religious leaders operating within the broader Sikh fold. Many of these groups have remained outside the SGPC’s control. Some of them had enjoyed patronage under British rule and were reluctant to cede authority. Over time, these groups continued to function independently while retaining religious influence. Panjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) taking SS’ support is a direct affront to SGPC which is considered to be under the control of chief of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Sukhbir Singh Badal. The Act serves AAP because the previous SAD and Indian National Congress could not bring such an Act despite passing similar Bills in the state Assembly. An editorial said: the AAP government appears not merely intent on courting a section of the electorate but also on asserting authority over the SGPC which has historically controlled Gurdwara affairs. SAD (Delhi) leader Paramjit Singh Sarna has criticized the Act alleging that it is a 'political instrument' designed to weaken the authority of the SGPC. SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur said that neither the government nor the law has any authority to interpret the Sikh religious doctrine. She also said SGPC should have opposed the Act because it will serve the purpose of separating the Sikhs from the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scripture and charter). Parallelly, a 43-year-old farmer Gurjeet Singh Khalsa who completed 555 days atop a telephone tower in Samana, Patiala district demanding the implementation of the anti-sacrilege law will now end his protest (earlier coverage).