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Amritsar, June 29
The Akal Takht on Monday gave the Punjab government one month to address its objections to the state’s anti-sacrilege law after Sikh MLAs and Cabinet ministers from across party lines appeared before the highest temporal authority of Sikhs in Amritsar in response to a summons issued earlier this month. The direction came on Monday after Sikh MLAs and Cabinet ministers from across party lines appeared before the Akal Takht in Amritsar in response to a summons issued earlier this month. The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of Sikhs, has objected to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, saying it was enacted without consulting the Sikh Panth.
Addressing the legislators, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj urged the Punjab government to amend the law within a month and refrain from interfering in Sikh religious affairs. He also handed over a list of objections for the legislators to convey to the government.One of the objections relates to the replacement of the word “Bir” with “Saroop” while referring to copies of the Guru Granth Sahib. Gargajj said the Punjab Assembly had no authority to decide matters concerning Sikh religious terminology, maintaining that such decisions rest solely with the Akal Takht.
The Jathedar reiterated that the Akal Takht has no objection to stringent punishment for those found guilty of desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib. However, he argued that several provisions of the law bring the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh religious institutions, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), granthis, pathis, gurdwara committees and other sewadars under a legal framework in a manner that amounts to government interference in Sikh religious affairs.
He also objected to a provision requiring information about those in possession of sacred birs of the Guru Granth Sahib to be published on the SGPC website, saying it could expose the personal details of devotees and leave them vulnerable to misuse.The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13. It provides for stricter punishment, including life imprisonment, for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
Before the meeting, Gargajj criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of disregarding the authority of the Akal Takht and attempting to interfere in religious matters.
“We should not go against Guru Panth and Guru Granth Sahib. We should act according to the sentiments of the Sikh Panth,” he told reporters.Among those who appeared before the Akal Takht were Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, several AAP legislators, Congress Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, senior Congress MLAs and Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia.
Rebel Akali MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali said he would abide by whatever directions the Akal Takht issued, adding that the government should have amended the law when objections were first raised.
AAP MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon said the legislators had appeared to explain the government’s position and maintained that the law was enacted solely to ensure tougher punishment for those involved in acts of sacrilege. The dispute has been simmering for weeks. Gargajj said written objections were formally conveyed to the Punjab government through Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan in May, but alleged that the government ignored both the Akal Takht’s recommendations and the sentiments of the Sikh community.
