Punjab Assembly Passes New Law for Harsher Punishment Against Sacrilege
Why has Punjab introduced a new law on sacrilege?
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
On April 13, 2026, the Punjab Assembly unanimously approved the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026’, introducing life imprisonment for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. This legislation responds to a series of sacrilege incidents and amends a previous law from 2008.
- 01The new law imposes life imprisonment for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
- 02The legislation amends a previous law enacted in 2008.
- 03Previous attempts to legislate against sacrilege faced challenges, including rejection by the Centre.
- 04The law was passed unanimously by the Punjab Assembly.
- 05The move reflects ongoing concerns over religious sentiments in Punjab.
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On April 13, 2026, the Punjab Assembly passed the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026’ with unanimous support. This new legislation introduces life imprisonment for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. The decision to amend the previous law from 2008 was influenced by a series of sacrilege incidents that have occurred in recent years, prompting the need for stricter penalties. Previous attempts to legislate on this matter faced obstacles, including the rejection of similar bills by the Centre, which emphasized the importance of equal treatment for all religions under India's secular framework. The unanimous passage of this bill indicates a strong legislative response to protect religious sentiments in Punjab.
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This law aims to protect religious sentiments in Punjab, potentially reducing incidents of sacrilege and enhancing community harmony.
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