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Plea filed in HC against Punjab anti-sacrilege law
Punjab’s Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026 was passed on April 13, assented to by the governor on April 17, and notified on April 20. On April 22, 2026, a petition was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking quashing of the Act on constitutional grounds.
Why It Matters
The petition challenges the legal validity of a law that imposes high penalties for sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib, raising questions about assent procedures, equality before the law, and secularism, with potential broader implications for how anti-sacrilege laws are framed and enacted.
Timeline
4 Events
Plea filed in HC challenging anti-sacrilege law
April 22, 2026
A petition filed by Simranjeet Singh, a Jalandhar-based resident, in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeks quashing of the Act. The petition argues that the impugned Act creates criminal penalties, including life imprisonment under Section 5, which concerns a subject in the Concurrent List, and that only the governor's assent was obtained, rendering the Act procedurally void. It contends the Act targets only the 'Saroops' of Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib, violates equality before the law and secularism, and that Section 5 imposes life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit sacrilege with intent to disrupt peace, with general penalties of 7 years to 20 years and fines of ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh; conspiratorial offences carry 10 years to life with fines up to ₹25 lakh.
Punjab government notifies anti-sacrilege bill
April 20, 2026
The Punjab government notified the anti-sacrilege bill following assent by the governor.
Punjab Governor assents to the anti-sacrilege bill
April 17, 2026
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave assent to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026.
Punjab assembly passes Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026
April 13, 2026
The Punjab Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026 during a special session.