Bring law on sacrilege across all religions, says Punjab BJP chief
Chandigarh, April 19
With Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria giving assent to the Bill enabling harsher punishment for 'beadbi' of Guru Granth Sahib, state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday urged the government to bring the draft law concerning sacrilege of all religions.
As a mark of respect to Guru Granth Sahib, the Assembly, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on April 13 unanimously passed the Bill.
In a social media message, Jakhar wrote: "I express my sincere gratitude to Hon'ble Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria for approving the Jagaat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Respect Amendment Bill, 2026.
"With this law in place, those committing acts of sacrilege will now face strict punishment. We also hope that the Punjab government will soon bring the draft law concerning sacrilege of all religions, currently with the select committee, to the Assembly so that a law can be enacted to prevent such acts across all faiths."
The BJP leader said that with the passage of this law, the way has been cleared to impose strict punishment on those who commit sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib.
At the same time, he urged the state government to also bring the draft law, referred to the select committee during last year's Assembly session, for consideration and passage.
He further stated that a law should also be enacted to prevent sacrilege of consecrated idols and religious texts of all faiths, including Hinduism, as divisive forces have been involved in such condemnable acts in recent times.
He added that the government should present and pass this law in the Assembly at the earliest, as it is a demand being raised by people across all religions.
The new law provides for life imprisonment for 'beadbi', creating one of the toughest legal frameworks in the country to deal with such offences, besides ensuring swift investigation, making offences non-bailable, and prescribing stringent penalties ranging from five years to life imprisonment, along with fines of up to Rs 20 lakh, while holding even those aiding 'beadbi' equally accountable.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good move by the Governor. The law for Guru Granth Sahib ji was necessary. But Sunil Jakhar is right, why stop there? We need a strong, uniform law that covers the Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Quran, and all religious icons. This will send a clear message.
While the intent is good, I hope the implementation is fair and not misused for political vendetta. We've seen how some laws can be twisted. The focus should be on genuine protection, not creating new tools for harassment.
As someone living in Punjab, the sentiment behind protecting the Guru Granth Sahib is deeply understood. Extending that respect to all religions legally is a progressive idea. It could help build much-needed communal harmony.
Finally some sense! Beadbi of any kind should have severe consequences. Life imprisonment and heavy fines are appropriate. No one should be allowed to hurt religious sentiments for cheap publicity or to create tension. Jai Hind!
The law is good, but the government must ensure swift justice. Often, these cases drag on for years in courts, defeating the purpose. Fast-track courts for such sensitive matters are needed.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.