Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday began a four-day ‘Shukrana Yatra’ following the implementation of the state’s anti-sacrilege law. The yatra started from Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Mann commenced the journey after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. The visit was marked by religious devotion and traditional reverence. Mann was accompanied by Harjot Singh Bains. The Chief Minister said the yatra was meant to express gratitude to the Almighty for giving him the opportunity to serve people through the enactment of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. He said the law provides stricter punishment in cases of ‘beadbi’ (sacrilege).
The Punjab government last month notified the amended anti-sacrilege law, which prescribes harsher penalties, including life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 25 lakh, for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
Earlier, on April 13, the AAP government had convened a special session of the Vidhan Sabha to amend the 2008 Act. The amendment aims to deter sacrilege incidents and safeguard the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.
The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly during the special session.
In a post on X, Mann said “From the sacred land where the Khalsa Panth was created, the 'Shukrana Yatra' has commenced (from Sri Anandpur Sahib). Gratitude is being offered at the feet of Guru Sahib for blessing us with the sacred responsibility of enacting a strict law to prevent 'beadbi'. Prayers for Punjab's peace and 'Sarbat da Bhala' will continue.”
Addressing devotees after paying obeisance, Mann said "My heart is indebted to the Almighty for bestowing upon me the opportunity to serve humanity through the enactment of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act 2026. We are fortunate that we have been entrusted with the responsibility of passing this historic legislation, which will help put an end to incidents of sacrilege in the future."
He said the law ensures strict action against anyone found guilty of sacrilege and added that exemplary punishment would act as a strong deterrent against such offences.
Speaking about the yatra route, Mann said he would pay obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sri Damdama Sahib, Mastuana Sahib, Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib and Sri Fatehgarh Sahib during the four-day journey ending May 9.
Mann said he considered himself merely an instrument chosen to carry out this responsibility. "I am nobody to pass this Act. Guru Sahib himself has taken this service from me. God assigns such service only to those handpicked by the Almighty. I am a humble servant of Guru Sahib who has been entrusted with this task," he said. He further said people across society had long demanded strict legislation to prevent sacrilege incidents.
"The sole purpose behind this Act is to assuage the bruised sentiments of people caused due to the negligence of previous governments. There is absolutely no political motive behind this legislation," Mann said.
The Chief Minister also said people from different parts of the world had been calling to express support for the law. "It is unfortunate that some people are doing politics even on this sacred issue for their vested interests because they know they will soon have to face consequences for their grave sins," he said.
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