Introduction
The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently deliberated over a petition filed by the Anglican Church of India, which challenges the amendments made to the anti-sacrilege law by the Punjab Assembly. The revised legislation specifically addresses acts against the Guru Granth Sahib.
Court’s Inquiry into Locus Standi
The Division Bench, comprised of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, scrutinized the standing of the Anglican Church in this matter. The judges questioned how the amendments, aimed at a particular religious text, could infringe upon the rights of Christians or deny them equal protection under law. Justice Mishra inquired, “In what manner are your religious rights infringed? What is that equal protection denied to you?”
Imaginative Grievances?
The Bench pointed out that the grievances presented seemed “imaginative.” They reiterated that the amendments were introduced in response to sacrilege incidents concerning the Guru Granth Sahib, with no similar incidents reported involving the Bible. The Court suggested that the Church’s petition might be seeking publicity rather than addressing a genuine grievance.
Arguments from the Anglican Church
Legal counsel for the Anglican Church contended that the new law creates a penal framework favoring one holy scripture, thereby placing others at a disadvantage. The counsel claimed that the government had previously acknowledged incidents affecting other religions. However, the judges questioned how this legislation, aimed at protecting the Sikh community’s faith, could adversely affect the Christian organization.
Background on the Amended Law
In April, the Punjab State Assembly passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which became law following the Governor’s assent. The amendments to the 2008 law specify penalties for sacrilege acts involving the Guru Granth Sahib, including imprisonment ranging from seven to 20 years and fines between ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh. Life imprisonment is stipulated for acts intended to disrupt communal harmony.
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Constitutional Challenge
The Anglican Church’s petition argues that the law’s exclusive protection of the Guru Granth Sahib constitutes a “religion-specific and discriminatory penal framework,” violating Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Indian Constitution. The Church claims this selective protection contravenes the secular principles of the Constitution.
Other Legal Challenges
The Court simultaneously heard a similar plea from Karanpreet Singh, who also contests the law’s validity. His counsel argued that the provisions interfere with religious affairs and contradict the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which oversees religious offences.
Future Proceedings
The High Court has scheduled a further hearing for the petitions next month, seeking substantial evidence to support the claims made. “Let us be convinced that there is something of substance,” remarked the Bench.
