Patiala: Punjab’s proposed amendment to the law on incidents of ‘beadbi’ (religious sacrilege) will provide for punishment ranging from a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment to life term, chief minister Bhagwant Mann said on Saturday.The amendment to Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, will be brought during a special session of the legislative assembly at Sri Anandpur Sahib on April 13, coinciding with Baisakhi.Addressing a gathering in Fatehgarh Sahib, Mann said the govt was consulting legal experts and representatives of the Sant Samaj while finalising the amendments. “No one should dare to disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This is a matter of deep faith, and our government is committed to ensuring strict justice,” he said.He added the revised law would also include provisions for heavy fines, property confiscation and action against offences committed through digital platforms.The CM also targeted the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its chief, Sukhbir Singh Badal, over past sacrilege incidents and the police firing cases linked to the 2015 unrest. Referring to incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan, Mann alleged that the previous regime had failed to act decisively and said people of Punjab had not forgotten those incidents. “The previous government made tall claims of development but ignored serious incidents of ‘beadbi’ and the killings that followed,” he said.The move follows a March 21 meeting in Amritsar between the chief minister and religious leaders, where the need for a stronger law was discussed.Officials indicated that the proposed amendments may also seek to cover sacrilege involving other religious texts.The special session at Sri Anandpur Sahib will coincide with Khalsa Sajna Diwas.
