The Punjab Government has introduced the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, during a special session on Baisakhi. This significant legislative move aims to impose stringent punishments for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, a revered scripture in Sikhism. The Bill stipulates a minimum imprisonment of seven years, extendable to 20 years, along with fines ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh for desecration. More severe penalties, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh, are prescribed for sacrilege committed as part of a conspiracy to disrupt communal harmony. The offense will be non-bailable and cognizable, requiring investigations to be conducted by officers of at least the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police. The Bill, which amends the 2008 Act, also emphasizes the need for proper custodianship and the maintenance of a central register of Saroops by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). This amendment reflects the government's commitment to protecting the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib, aligning statutory language with Sikh religious terminology. The law is expected to come into effect upon notification by the state government.