Punjab Cabinet clears amendment to anti-beadbi law to make punishments more stringent & deter beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday cleared a stringent amendment to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with provision of life imprisonment to ensure strict punishment for ‘Beadbi’ (sacrilege) and uphold the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. The amendment Bill will be introduced on Monday in a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in a meeting held under the chairmanship of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. Disclosing this, the Chief Minister’s Office said, “There have been several incidents in the past involving the beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and other revered Holy Scriptures, which have deeply hurt public sentiments by bruising their psyche and caused unrest in society. While Sections 298, 299, and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 do address such matters, they do not prescribe sufficiently stringent punishments to serve as a strong deterrent against such acts.

After careful consideration and discussion, the Bhagwant Mann Government has decided that appropriate legal measures are required to safeguard the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and to promote mutual respect, understanding, and communal harmony in the society.”

In view of the seriousness of these offences and the need to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the Cabinet has decided to amend the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008. Thus, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 stipulates enhanced penalties, including life imprisonment, for those found guilty of committing beadbi against Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. The proposed legislation is expected to act as a strong deterrent against individuals with malicious intent and to contribute positively towards maintaining peace and communal goodwill in Punjab.”