Fatehgarh Sahib, March 28 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Saturday that the state will make stricter laws regarding sacrilege, and anyone found guilty of "beadbi" (sacrilege) of the Guru Granth Sahib will face imprisonment up to life.
The Mann government will convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on April 13 to amend the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, to provide stricter punishment for sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib and other religious texts.
Asserting a zero-tolerance stance, the government said that no one guilty of "beadbi" (sacrilege) will be spared.
"On April 13, we will amend the 'Beadbi' law; anyone committing 'beadbi' of Sri Guru Granth Sahib will face 10 years to life imprisonment," Mann said while addressing a gathering at an event here.
Mann launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over past "beadbi" (sacrilege) incidents that occurred during their government's time, while asserting that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is taking decisive steps to ensure justice by strengthening laws and enforcing strict punishment.
"They have forgotten these 'beadbi' incidents and believe that people will forget them too, but people will not forget," he said.
"On the occasion of Baisakhi, we have called a special Assembly session to amend the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008. Anyone attempting 'beadbi' will face the strictest punishment, with a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment.
"No one should dare to disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib. We are also consulting the Sant Samaj.
This is something only we can and must do, and it cannot be expected from any other government," he said.