‘No one will now dare to commit beadbi’, CM Mann on sacrilege bill | Chandigarh News

Chandigarh: Asserting that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, would mark the end of religious desecration in future, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann said it is a state-specific piece of legislation that does not require Presidential assent. He also accused previous govts of lacking the intent to craft a foolproof law. Mann said the necessity to table a stringent anti-sacrilege Bill arose as the previous govts overlooked “loopholes and weak links” in previous attempts.Concluding the debate on the Bill in the Vidhan Sabha, Mann said, “I assure the House that this Bill marks the end of desecration in future as it will ensure that no one will ever dare to indulge in such heinous crime. This Fifth Amendment will be final and will put to end all the activities that are aimed at disrespecting our eternal Guru.”“It is my guarantee that this Bill will not need to be brought to the assembly again,” Mann said. He also criticised the previous Congress govt for failing to follow up on the 2018 Bill, which remained pending with the President of India.Mann said, “As it is a state Bill, so Presidential assent will not be required in this case,” adding that the Bill will be sent to the governor after it has been passed by the state assembly. “In case it takes time from the governor, then he will himself call on him and urge him to clear it immediately.” He added with a touch of sarcasm, “Most of the time the opposition pays visits to the governor for lodging complaints against him, but if these parties wish they can accompany him for this noble cause too.“Calling the legislation a “historic correction of past regimes’ failures,” Mann said the Bill would ensure swift investigation, make offences non-bailable, and prescribe stringent penalties ranging from 5 years to life imprisonment along with fines up to Rs 20 lakh, while holding even those aiding beadbi equally accountable.Hitting out at the previous regimes, he said while Akali-BJP and Congress sought votes in the name of Guru Sahib, it is the AAP govt that has taken concrete steps to uphold the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and ensure that no one dares to commit such acts again.“In the past, the acts of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib were a deep-rooted conspiracy to disturb hard-earned peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state. Expressing profound grief and anguish over such ‘inhuman and heinous act’, it was a sin committed against humanity perpetrated by a handful of anti-social elements, who were hell-bent upon disturbing peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the state. The Act will ensure that anyone found guilty of this unpardonable offence will not be spared at any cost and exemplary action would be taken against them as a deterrent for others.”“Making firm resolve to maintain peace and communal harmony at all costs, our govt would thwart any such attempt, which can pose a danger to the communal harmony, progress and prosperity of the state. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is the father of every Sikh and the state govt is duty-bound to ensure the safety of this holy granth,” he said.Emphasising the significance of the legislation, the CM said, “If Guru Granth Sahib is not safe in Punjab, then where else can it be.” Mann said, “Ironically, earlier the Acts were drafted only while keeping in view the political interests rather than the larger public interest. It is ironic that Anand Marriage Act is there in Tamil Nadu, Delhi and even in Pakistan, but it is nowhere in Punjab. This Act will ensure that anyone who indulges in the heinous crime of sacrilege will be dealt with sternly and even their coming generations will remember the punishment given to their family members.“Hitting out at the opposition, Mann said, “Those who are responsible for the sacrilege appeared before Akal Takht and admitted their crime in the full public glare. However, as it doesn’t suit their political ambitions, they took a U-turn after some time and said some people were playing in the hands of central agencies to defame them. The entire state knows the real face of these leaders who have always misled the people through their political gimmicks.“He added, “The Jathedars of Sri Akal Takht Sahib have been selected from their pockets and as per their whims and fancies, which is unpardonable. These leaders felicitated and honoured the anti-Sikh forces with the top posts in their govt, which has always hurt the Sikh sentiments. Fakar-e-Qaum was given to a leader who had patronised the perpetrators of Nakodar incident, sacrileges, that of firing in the Behbal Kalan and Kotakpura or had reduced SGPC to mere puppet.“