Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday categorically ruled out any possibility of withdrawing or rolling back the newly enacted anti-sacrilege law, stating that it came into force after due constitutional process and would not be repealed under any pressure.
Background of the Controversy
His statement came a day after the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, rejected the recently notified 'Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026'. The Sikh clergy issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government to remove objectionable clauses which, they claimed, "hurt Sikh sentiments and interfere in Panthic affairs". They warned that if the government failed to amend the law within 15 days, a meeting of five Sikh clergy would be convened and further action would follow.
CM's Firm Stand
Taking a firm stand on the anti-sacrilege law, the Chief Minister reiterated that the Punjab government remained fully committed to protecting the sanctity and respect of Guru Granth Sahib and other religious scriptures. He said the recently enacted anti-sacrilege law was introduced solely to ensure strict punishment for those attempting to hurt religious sentiments and disturb peace.
Making the government's position clear, Mann asserted that the anti-beadbi law had already come into force. "The governor has granted assent to the Act. There is no question of withdrawing or rolling back this law," he said.
Public Support and Political Opposition
The Chief Minister said the law had received overwhelming support from the sangat (congregation) across the world. He alleged that only "one particular family" was opposing the legislation because of its own involvement in past sacrilege incidents. "Those claiming that the Panth has rejected this law must explain why millions are supporting it," he asserted, adding that certain vested political interests were trying to mislead people for narrow gains and create unnecessary confusion around the legislation.
He further emphasized that the legislation was enacted after a long-standing public demand and there could be no compromise on protecting the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib.
Historical Context
The Chief Minister pointed out that protests and demonstrations continued for nearly one-and-a-half years in Samana demanding a stricter anti-sacrilege law. He noted that several Sikh intellectuals and scholars who are opposing the law today had themselves earlier demanded stringent legislation against sacrilege incidents. On Saturday, Mann also recalled that in July 2007, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had itself passed a resolution authorising the government to enact legislation for the protection and respect of Guru Granth Sahib.
Questioning Opposition's Changing Stand
Questioning the opposition's changing stand, Chief Minister Mann asked how those who had earlier supported legislative intervention were now claiming that the government could not enact such a law. He noted that such leaders are trying to run a "parallel authority" and politicising a sensitive religious issue. He said, "Pathar dil hi houga jehda es kanoon da virodh karuga (only a stone-hearted person would oppose this law)".
Reacting to statements threatening meetings and protests against the legislation, the Chief Minister said every democratic group had the right to hold meetings. He said attempts were being made to divert attention from the massive response to the 'Shukrana Yatra'.
