BackLAW
Punjab sacrilege conviction rate 9% since 2015; 43 convictions in 438 trials as new 2026 law faces Sikh clergy pushback
Punjab has tried 438 sacrilege cases since 2015, with 43 convictions (about 9%) and five maximum three-year term sentences (about 1.14%). The data underpin the government’s controversial 2026 Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act, which has drawn opposition from Sikh clergy and SGPC. Akal Takht rejected the act on May 8, 2026, intensifying the dispute over religious offense laws.
Why It Matters
The figures underpin significant policy and religious authority tensions in Punjab, highlighting how data on religious offense cases influence legislation and clash with Sikh religious leadership.
Timeline
11 Events
Article publication date and summary
May 13, 2026
The article presenting these findings was published on May 13, 2026.
Time to trace a sacrilege case improves dramatically
May 13, 2026
A senior official said the average time to trace a case fell from 750 days in 2015 to 94 days in 2025.
Convictions and penalties in sacrilege cases
May 13, 2026
There were 43 convictions (9%), five cases with the maximum three-year term, eight monetary fines ranging from ₹300 to ₹7,000, and twelve sentences longer than one year.
Sacrilege case data since 2015: cases tried, drops, and unidentified suspects
May 13, 2026
Police data show that since 2015, 438 sacrilege cases were tried; 51 were dropped due to lack of evidence; 118 cases involved unidentified suspects; 67 cases ended in acquittals.
Shukrana Yatra concludes
May 9, 2026
The four-day Shukrana Yatra across Punjab concluded, following the enactment of the sacrilege law.
Punjab CM Mann asserts Act is final after assent; Shukrana Yatra
May 9, 2026
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted that the Act is final following the governor’s assent on April 18 and will not be rolled back, on the concluding day of the Shukrana Yatra.
Speaker explains government position before Akal Takht
May 8, 2026
Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan appeared before the Takht to explain the government’s position on the matter.
Akal Takht rejects the 2026 Act; 15-day ultimatum issued
May 8, 2026
Akal Takht formally rejected the 2026 Act and issued a 15-day ultimatum to remove objectionable clauses.
Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 comes into force
April 20, 2026
The new sacrilege law came into effect on April 20, 2026, introducing penalties including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹25 lakh.
Governor assent to Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026
April 18, 2026
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave assent to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 on April 18, enabling the new law.
Bargari and Behbal Kalan incidents (2015)
2015
The 2015 Bargari and Behbal Kalan incidents started an emotive political issue around sacrilege in Punjab.