The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes life imprisonment and fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. This move aims to deter incidents of 'beadbi' and uphold the scripture's sanctity, reflecting the government's commitment to Sikh theology that regards the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru. The bill will be sent to the Governor for assent and is set to be tabled in a special session of the Vidhan Sabha. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized that the legislation targets only the Guru Granth Sahib and not other religious texts. The bill comes in response to public protests and previous unsuccessful attempts to enact stricter laws against sacrilege, particularly following the sensitive incidents of the 2015 Bargari sacrilege and Behbal Kalan firing. The Mann government's initiative is seen as a critical step toward addressing longstanding community concerns and promoting peace in Punjab.