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Why has Punjab introduced a new law on sacrilege? Timeline
Punjab Assembly passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on April 13, expanding penalties for sacrilege to life imprisonment and updating a 2008 law. Earlier attempts by SAD-BJP in 2016 and by Congress in 2018 faced Centre or Presidential assent obstacles, while the 2025 AAP proposal was referred to a select committee.
Why It Matters
The timeline shows how successive Punjab governments have pursued stronger protections for religious sanctities, highlighting ongoing political and constitutional dynamics around sacrilege laws in the state.
Timeline
5 Events
Punjab Assembly passes Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026
April 13, 2026
The Punjab Assembly unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at harsher punishment for sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib, including life imprisonment, and to amend the 2008 law enacted under the SAD-BJP government.
2025 – AAP government tables Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scriptures Bill
2025
The Aam Aadmi Party government tabled the Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scriptures Bill, which was subsequently sent to a select committee for review.
2018 – Congress government introduces two amendment bills
2018
The Congress government introduced two amendment bills to strengthen protections against sacrilege, but they did not receive Presidential assent.
2016 – Centre returns the two 2016 amendment bills
2016
The Centre returned the two 2016 amendment bills, asserting that all religions must be treated equally under India's secular framework.
2016 – SAD-BJP government passes two amendment bills
2016
The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 were enacted to prescribe life imprisonment for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib.