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Plea in HC against Punjab’s anti-sacrilege law
Punjab passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 on April 13, and it was notified on April 20. A PIL challenging the Act’s constitutional validity was reported in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by April 22. The petition argues the penalties, including life imprisonment under Section 5(3), may require presidential assent under Article 254(2) and raise concerns about secularism and equality before law.
Why It Matters
The challenge centers on constitutional requirements for state laws, potential presidential assent, and the balance between secularism and equal protection under the law, with implications for the enforceability of the amendment.
Timeline
3 Events
April 22, 2026: PIL filed challenging constitutional validity
April 22, 2026
A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Amritsar resident Simranjeet Singh, a 43-year-old law graduate and social activist, challenging the constitutional validity of the amended law. The plea argues that Section 5(3) creates life imprisonment for a subject in the concurrent list and may be inconsistent with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), potentially requiring presidential assent under Article 254(2). Italso contends that the law violates secularism and Article 14 by restricting the high-penalty framework to the saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, and that life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit sacrilege to disrupt peace is disproportionate to a non-violent offence.
April 20, 2026: Anti-sacrilege Act notified
April 20, 2026
The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, was notified. The amended law is described as the updated version of the 2008 Act.
April 13, 2026: Punjab Vidhan Sabha passes amended anti-sacrilege Act
April 13, 2026
In a special one-day session held for three hours of discussion, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. The amended law prescribes stringent punishments for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh.