Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday announced that the govt would convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on April 13 (Baisakhi) to amend the Jagt Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, and bring in a “stricter law” against ‘beadbi’ (religious sacrilege).The proposed legislation will include stringent punishment, heavy fines, property confiscation, and cover offences committed through digital content, with the draft being prepared in consultation with the Sant Samaj and legal experts.During the session, necessary amendments will be made to the Jagt Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, enacted by the Punjab govt, to introduce a “strong and comprehensive law” to prevent ‘beadbi’ of Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts. With a zero-tolerance stance, no one guilty of ‘beadbi’ will be spared, said an official spokesperson.During a meeting with the members of Sant Samaj and religious leaders in Amritsar, Mann said: “The session will be convened on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas, and the Act will be formed in consultation with Sant Samaj and legal experts. Opinions from eminent lawyers across the country will also be sought while preparing the draft of this legislation to ensure exemplary punishment to perpetrators of this heinous crime.”Inviting members of the Sant Samaj, various sects, Taksals, Nihang Singh groups, Udasi sects, Nirmala sects, Kar Seva groups, Ragis, and Kathavachaks, Mann urged them to attend the special session and witness the passage of this historic legislation. He added: “The speaker and MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar will soon visit Samana to persuade Gurjeet Singh Khalsa to end his protest and invite him to attend the special assembly session as well. The Punjab govt respects the sentiments of Sant Samaj and devotees and is committed to bringing a strict law that will deter any mischievous elements from committing acts of ‘beadbi’.”The CM further said the law would include provisions for stringent punishments, heavy fines, and even confiscation of property. “The new act will also cover the ‘beadbi’ carried out through digital content. The Punjab govt is working with full sincerity to prevent incidents of ‘beadbi’ of religious texts.” Mann told the Sant Samaj that the govt respected the religious sentiments of everyone and no one guilty of ‘beadbi’ would be spared.“Today, at Sri Amritsar Sahib, a significant meeting was held with the Sant Samaj at the Circuit House, where discussions took place on amending the ‘Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act 2008′ to prevent the desecration of sacred scriptures. In this regard, a special session of the Vidhan Sabha will be convened on April 13, 2026,” the CM later posted on X. “We regard the sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Shabad Guru, from whom we receive teachings on truth, service, and humanity. If anyone attempts to hurt our faith through desecration, they will never be forgiven. The guilty will be given strict and exemplary punishment, and stringent laws will be enacted to protect the faith and honour of Punjab,” he added.Earlier, members of the Sant Samaj and various religious groups demanded that pending cases of desecration should be expedited to ensure strict punishment for the guilty. MSID:: 129720305 413 |
