Chandigarh, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malvinder Singh Kang on Thursday said the Punjab Government’s proposed law against sacrilege is intended solely to ensure stringent punishment for those who deliberately commit acts of sacrilege and is not aimed at interfering in Sikh religious affairs, Sikh Rehat Maryada, or the functioning of religious institutions.
Addressing a press conference, Kang said the legislation was introduced by the Bhagwant Mann Government in response to the long-standing demand of the Sikh community for a strong legal framework to deal with repeated incidents of sacrilege.
He said the Punjab Government has accepted suggestions made by the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib after the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed the Jagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Bill. A revised draft incorporating the recommendations has already been prepared and will be presented during the next session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly.
Kang announced that the Bill will be amended to specifically include revered Sikh terms such as “Bir” (ਬੀੜ) and “Saroop” while referring to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, in keeping with Sikh traditions.
Clarifying concerns over the term “custodian”, he said it refers to a sevadar or caretaker entrusted with the service and care of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and includes individuals, institutions, deras and Gurdwara committees. He stressed that custodians would not be presumed guilty merely because an unfortunate incident has occurred.
According to Kang, unintentional mistakes, negligence, technical lapses or acts committed without criminal intent (mens rea) will not be treated as sacrilege under the proposed law.
He further clarified that no custodian can be arrested immediately following a complaint. Every case must first undergo an independent investigation by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) or Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), to be completed within 30 days, with a possible extension of 15 days where necessary. During this process, the concerned Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) authorities will also be informed, and no FIR or coercive action will be taken unless the investigation establishes deliberate wrongdoing.
Rejecting what he described as misinformation about the Bill, Kang said the legislation does not interfere with Sikh Rehat Maryada, the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib or the SGPC’s religious jurisdiction. He also asserted that the law does not restrict Katha, Kirtan, Gurbani research, Nagar Kirtans, Anand Karaj ceremonies, photography, live telecasts, or the respectful Prakash and Sukhasan of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in homes.
He said the proposed system for assigning encrypted unique identification numbers to every Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji would be managed exclusively by the SGPC. The central register would remain confidential, while investigating agencies would be allowed access only through the SGPC in accordance with prescribed rules.
Kang added that the Bill also provides for a Medical Board examination where an accused claims mental instability, ensuring that such provisions cannot be misused to shield deliberate offenders.
He also said the Punjab Government would urge the Centre to enact similar legislation across the country to ensure uniform punishment for sacrilege-related offences.
“The Bhagwant Mann Government’s intention is absolutely clear. This law is not against the Sikh Sangat, sevadars or religious institutions. Its only purpose is to ensure exemplary punishment for those who deliberately commit sacrilege and to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Kang said.
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