CM Mann pays obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, thanks Almighty for strength to enact historic anti-sacrilege law
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ May 7,2026
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib and expressed gratitude to the Almighty for giving him the strength and courage to enact the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026, describing it as a historic step to ensure strict punishment for sacrilege and safeguard the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Addressing the media after paying obeisance, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said his heart was filled with gratitude towards the Almighty for entrusting him with the service of enacting a stringent law against sacrilege. He stated, “Our Government is fortunate to have received the responsibility of passing such a historic legislation, which would help prevent such heinous incidents in the future,” he added.
“Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our collective duty to protect its sanctity. The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026 ensures that anyone found guilty of this unpardonable offence will face exemplary punishment,” asserted CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
He stated that incidents of sacrilege were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy aimed at disturbing Punjab’s peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and social unity. The Chief Minister affirmed that the law has been framed in such a stringent manner that those convicted can face life imprisonment till death. “The law has been drafted after consultations with some of the country’s most respected legal experts. It will act as a strong deterrent and no one will dare to commit such a crime in the future,” added CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The Chief Minister further said that people across the globe and the Sikh sangat have welcomed the law passed unanimously by the Punjab Assembly. “While the entire Sikh sangat has welcomed this law, the controllers of the Shiromani Committee are opposing it because allegations related to sacrilege themselves point towards them,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Referring to the ongoing “Shukrana Yatra”, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had embarked on the yatra to express gratitude to the Almighty for blessing him with the strength to pass the historic legislation. He informed that beginning from Sri Anandpur Sahib, the yatra would continue till May 9 and include visits to Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Mastuana Sahib, Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib and Sri Fatehgarh Sahib.
“The sole purpose of this yatra is to thank the Almighty for giving us the courage and strength to perform this service for humanity and for Punjab,” noted CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, while thanking the sangat for turning up in large numbers despite the scorching heat.
The Chief Minister said that the sangat across Punjab was warmly welcoming the yatra because, for the first time, a strict and effective law had been enacted for the protection and respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He reiterated that both the Punjab Cabinet and the Punjab Assembly had unanimously approved the legislation.
