Chandigarh, Indus Canada Foundation (ICF) has expressed serious concern over the recently passed Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by the Punjab Govt, introducing life imprisonment for acts of beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. While reiterating deep respect for Sri Guru Granth Sahib and condemning any act of sacrilege, the Foundation believes the legislation raises complex constitutional, legal and international concerns, particularly for the nearly 11 million Sikhs residing outside India.
ICF President Vikram Bajwa announced that a global Zoom meeting of Sikh Gurudwaras and community organisations from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia has been convened on June 11, 2026 to deliberate upon the implications of the law in democratic societies where such punishments may not align with constitutional principles and established legal systems.
Bajwa stated that modern Sikhs generation living abroad are astonished and deeply concerned over the severity and scope of punishments proposed under the law. He said that in countries such as the USA, Canada, UK and Australia, over 70 percent of hotels and motels keep copies of the Bible in guest rooms where visitors may smoke, consume alcohol or live according to personal lifestyles. “Religious scriptures in democratic societies are meant to inspire reflection, spirituality and moral guidance, not become instruments inviting fear of punishment,” he remarked.
ICF further questioned whether, under the broad interpretation of such a law, Sikhs living abroad may eventually face uncertainty regarding the keeping of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in private homes. “These holy scriptures are not the property of the Punjab Govt. The state neither owns them, nor prints them, nor has any designated holy affairs department governing global religious practice,” Bajwa said.
ICF further stated that no other major democratic country in the world currently enforces a law of this nature with such stringent criminal provisions linked to religious scriptures. The Foundation believes the legislation appears to be politically driven rather than-based on religious consensus.
The Foundation indicated that legal consultations are underway and the legislation could be challenged before the Supreme Court of India after the June 11 consultations.