Mann government’s strict law against sacrilege, life imprisonment and fine of Rs 25 lakh to ensure justice: Harpal Singh

Presented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann in the Assembly today "Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill" Speaking in support of the Act, Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema wholeheartedly thanked the Chief Minister for bringing the necessary amendments to ensure stricter punishment for ‘sacrilege’.

Strong criticism from the opposition

Describing this amendment as an honest effort of the Bhagwant Mann government, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema strongly criticized the opposition for misleading the people. He said that provisions for historic punishment have been made in the amended bill, in which there is a provision of life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 25 lakh for those guilty of ‘sacrilege’, and this crime has been kept in the completely non-bailable category.

During his address, Finance Minister Cheema made a scathing attack on Shiromani Akali Dal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress and linked the dark history of ‘sacrilege’ incidents in the state to the Nakodar incident. He said that the series of unfortunate incidents of ‘sacrilege’ always started when the Akali-BJP government was in power in Punjab.

Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “On February 4, 1986, in Nakodar, police opened fire on Sikh youth who were protesting peacefully against the burning of five versions of Guru Granth Sahib at Sri Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara Sahib. In this police firing, four youths including Bhai Ravinder Singh (Littran), Bhai Harminder Singh (Chullapur), Bhai Baldhir Singh (Ramgarh) and Bhai Jhilman Singh (Gorsian) were martyred. Justice Gurnam Singh Commission was formed after the incident. Although the first part of the report was submitted, the second part mysteriously disappeared.

Highlighting the lack of action by previous governments, he further said, “The successive Akali-BJP governments from 1997 to 2002 and 2007 to 2017 and the Congress government from 2002 to 2007 made no efforts to find the missing reports or provide justice. Surprisingly, the officers found guilty in the Nakodar case were later awarded important positions in the government and political parties.”

Referring to the incidents of 2015, the Cabinet Minister said that the SAD-BJP government made active efforts to destroy evidence, including tampering with the bullet evidence of the Bahibal Kalan shooting. Questioning Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, he said, “How can a highly educated leader, who has been an MP, Union Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, claim to be under ‘pressure’ to make such a confession after admitting his mistakes in front of Sri Akal Takht Sahib?”

Criticism of Congress government

Criticizing the Congress government, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The Congress completely failed to take action against the culprits. They only formed special investigation teams but never presented the challans in the court. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, we are working hard to get justice for the people. We have finally presented the challans to fix accountability.”

Talking to journalists after his Assembly address, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema clarified the government’s stand and said that the history of Shiromani Akali Dal has been tainted on these issues. He expressed hope that the Governor of Punjab, respecting the sentiments of the people, will act without any delay. "Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026" Will approve. While challenging the BJP, he also asked why the Central Government did not make such a strict law against ‘sacrilege’ at the national level.