Sikh Federation Hails New Law to Curb Sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib

Jamshedpur: The All India Sikh Students Federation has welcomed the Punjab government’s enactment of a stringent new law to curb incidents of sacrilege against Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria recently granted his assent to the ‘Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Sataar (Amendment) Bill, 2026,’ officially codifying it into law.

Harsh Penalties for Offenders

Satnam Singh Gambhir, President (East India) of the All India Sikh Students Federation, lauded the legislation for its uncompromising stance. Under the new provisions:

• Life Imprisonment: The law mandates a life sentence for anyone guilty of committing sacrilege.
• Heavy Fines: Convicted individuals may face fines up to ₹25 lakh.
• Non-Bailable Status: Authorities have classified the offense as non-bailable, ensuring accused individuals cannot easily obtain legal relief.

The law broadly defines disrespect to include tearing, burning, stealing, or any other form of desecration, treating such acts as grave criminal offenses.

Protecting Religious Sentiments

The legislation aims to deter anti-social elements from hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community or disrupting public order. By imposing these severe consequences, the government intends to preserve public order and uphold the sanctity of the holy scripture.

Gambhir described the enactment as a “historic step” toward restoring the reverence due to Guru Granth Sahib. He expressed his gratitude to the administration for taking decisive action against those who threaten communal harmony.