Punjab to Bring Toughest Anti-‘Beadbi’ Law, Special Assembly Session on April 13

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday announced that the Punjab government will convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on April 13 to amend the Jagt Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008 and bring in a stricter law against ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege). The proposed legislation will include stringent punishment, heavy fines, property confiscation and cover offences committed through digital content, with the draft being prepared in consultation with the Sant Samaj and legal experts. Asserting a zero-tolerance stance, the government said no one guilty of ‘beadbi’ will be spared.

During a meeting with the members of Sant Samaj and religious leaders, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The session will be convened on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas and the act will be formed in consultation with Sant Samaj and legal experts. Opinions from eminent lawyers across the country will also be sought while preparing the draft of this legislation to ensure exemplary punishment to perpetrators of this heinous crime.”

The Chief Minister said that during the session, necessary amendments will be made to the Jagt Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, enacted by the Punjab Government, to introduce a strong and comprehensive law to prevent 'beadbi' of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts.

Inviting members of the Sant Samaj, various sects, Taksals, Nihang Singh groups, Udasi sects, Nirmala sects, Kar Seva groups, Ragis, and Kathavachaks, the Chief Minister urged them to attend the special session and witness the passage of this historic legislation. He stated, “Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and MLA Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar will soon visit Samana to persuade Gurjeet Singh Khalsa to end his protest and invite him to attend the special assembly session as well. The Punjab Government respects the sentiments of Sant Samaj and devotees and is committed to bringing a strict law that will deter any mischievous elements from committing acts of 'beadbi.’”

The Punjab CM added that the law will include stringent punishments, heavy fines, and even confiscation of property of the accused. “The new act will also cover the 'beadbi' carried out through digital content. The Punjab government is working with full sincerity to prevent incidents of 'beadbi' of religious texts.” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the Sant Samaj that the government respects the religious sentiments of everyone and no one guilty of 'beadbi' will be spared.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also took to ‘X’ and wrote, “Today, at Sri Amritsar Sahib, a significant meeting was held with the Sant Samaj at the Circuit House, where discussions took place on amending the ‘Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act 2008’ to prevent the desecration of sacred scriptures. In this regard, a special session of the Vidhan Sabha will be convened on April 13, 2026. We regard the sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the Shabad Guru, from whom we receive teachings on truth, service, and humanity. If anyone attempts to hurt our faith through desecration, they will never be forgiven. The guilty will be given strict and exemplary punishment, and stringent laws will be enacted to protect the faith and honor of Punjab.”

Earlier, members of the Sant Samaj and various religious groups demanded that pending cases should be expedited to ensure strict punishment for the guilty. They also expressed gratitude to the AAP-led Punjab Government for organizing events commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. They appreciated the government’s decision to grant holy city status to Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo. The meeting concluded with a collective Ardas (prayer).