Punjab OKs life term for sacrilege, bill to be tabled tomorrow

Chandigarh: The Punjab cabinet on Saturday approved amendments to the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing stricter penalties — including imprisonment from 10 years to life — to curb sacrilege and uphold the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib. The amendments, which also seek to impose a fine of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh on those found guilty of sacrilegious acts, are scheduled to be introduced in the assembly during a special session on Monday.Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said as a state bill, the legislation will be sent to the Punjab governor for final assent. Earlier attempts by successive governments had failed to get final approval as they sought to amend the Indian Penal Code and required Presidential assent. In 2016, the SAD-BJP govt passed a bill proposing life imprisonment for sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, but it was returned by the Centre. In 2018, the Congress govt brought a revised bill extending the provision to all religions, but it too remained pending.Responding to the BJP's demand to include religious texts of other faiths, Cheema said since the subject fell under the concurrent list, the party should approach the Centre for suitable amendments to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to cover the entire country. BNS had replaced IPC in 2024.An official said repeated incidents of beadbi (sacrilege) involving Guru Granth Sahib and other revered scriptures had hurt public sentiments and caused unrest. While Sections 298, 299 and 300 of the BNS, 2023, address such offences, they do not prescribe sufficiently stringent punishment to act as a strong deterrent.Cheema said strict penalties would serve as a deterrent, adding that those who hatch conspiracies would also be held accountable.On the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's (SGPC) claim that the draft bill was not shared, Cheema said it had adequate opportunity to give suggestions to the select committee and was now "looking for an excuse to criticise the govt". A govt spokesperson said the amendments were aimed at safeguarding the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib and maintaining communal harmony.3 attempts, no success2016 (SAD-BJP): Bill to amend the IPC proposing life term for sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib passed by assembly, returned by Union home ministry2018 (Congress): Revised IPC amendment extending provision to all religions sent for assent, remained pending2025 (AAP): Bill proposing 10 years to life imprisonment referred to select committee after opposition sought review
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