Amritsar (Punjab) [India], June 29 (ANI): In a significant development that could reshape Punjab's anti-sacrilege legislation, Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Monday gave the Punjab government one month to amend the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 in accordance with Sikh sentiments, after summoning Sikh Cabinet ministers and MLAs from across political parties to explain how the law was passed without consulting key Sikh institutions.
The special meeting, held at the Secretariat Sri Akal Takht Sahib, was led by five Singh Sahibs, including the Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj. Also present were Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Giani Baljit Singh, Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Tek Singh and Panj Piara of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Mangal Singh.
Before the proceedings began, the five Singh Sahibs offered prayers seeking strength to protect Sikh interests and rights in accordance with Gurmat. The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Mool Mantra, Gur Mantra and Gurbani, after which ministers and legislators were invited to present their views in what Akal Takht described as an open and respectful atmosphere.
After extensive discussions, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj announced that the Punjab government had been given one month to revise the legislation and remove clauses considered objectionable by the Sikh community.
"The Punjab Government has been given one month by the Akal Takht to re-amend the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, in accordance with Sikh sentiments," Gargajj said after the meeting.
He also urged the government to suspend the implementation of the law until amendments are made and approved in consultation with Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Among the changes sought by the Takht is a provision requiring legal action not only against individuals accused of sacrilege but also against the heads of anti-Sikh deras if followers are found to have deliberately committed such acts.
According to Gargajj, all Sikh Cabinet ministers and MLAs present agreed to carry out further amendments in line with the sentiments expressed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The consensus was symbolically endorsed as the five Singh Sahibs raised Jaikaras and legislators responded by raising their hands in agreement.
During the discussions, Gargajj revealed that many legislators admitted they had not read the draft legislation before it was passed by the Punjab Assembly.
"Most of the MLAs honestly admitted that they did not read the draft before passing it," he said, describing it as a serious lapse given the sensitivity of matters concerning Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
He said legislators received the draft only a day before the Assembly session and were not even provided a copy of the original 2008 law.
Some MLAs told the gathering that they had urged the government inside the Vidhan Sabha to consult the SGPC, Sikh scholars, religious institutions and legal experts before passing the amendments.
The Jathedar strongly criticised the government for what he described as interference in Sikh religious affairs.
He argued that only the Guru Khalsa Panth has the authority to make decisions concerning Sri Guru Granth Sahib and maintained that defining custodians and their responsibilities is an internal Sikh matter, not one for the state government.
The Jathedar said the law had created fear among ordinary Sikhs and could hinder the propagation of the faith. He pointed out that many members of the Sikh Sangat had already deposited Gurbani Sanchis, Gutka Sahibs, Pothis and other religious literature at gurdwaras because of concerns arising from the legislation.
Gargajj also questioned the Punjab government over the status of justice in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege cases and the 2017 Maur terror blast case.
The Akal Takht chief further asked ministers and MLAs several pointed questions, including how many legislators had been consulted before the law was introduced, when they received the draft, whether they had read it, and why the SGPC's opinion was not sought despite the original 2008 legislation being framed after an SGPC resolution.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the government would carefully consider the directions received from the Akal Takht.
"The respected Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib has granted us a period of one month. He has proposed certain amendments and measures. Once we receive the guidelines, we will deliberate on them and reach a decision within a month," Cheema said.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan described the interaction as constructive but declined to disclose details.
"A long and meaningful discussion was held between MLAs and Ministers of the Punjab Legislative Assembly and the esteemed Jathedars. I feel that Guru Ji's blessings will continue to be upon us," Sandhwan said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced that all AAP ministers and MLAs would appear before the Akal Takht, saying the institution remained supreme for him and his party.
AAP MP Malwinder Singh Kang reiterated the party's commitment to abide by the Takht's directives.
"Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme institution of the Sikhs. Wherever a Sikh resides in the world, they bow their heads before Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and any directive issued from there is accepted by us with the utmost reverence," Kang said.
The Akal Takht's decision immediately triggered sharp political reactions, with BJP leaders launching attacks on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
BJP leader Sunil Jakhar said the ministers and legislators who remained silent before the Akal Takht had effectively endorsed what he called a grave wrong.
"Standing within the precincts, right before the Akal Takht Sahib, one should at least heed the voice of one's conscience. Their silence amounts to consent. It makes them an integral part of this sacrilege," Jakhar said.
He also renewed questions over a controversial video linked to Mann.
"If Bhagwant Mann possessed the video in question, he should have taken it to the Akal Takht Sahib with the humility of a devoted Sikh. The fact that he has not gone there suggests a guilty conscience is holding him back," Jakhar added.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon welcomed the appearance of MLAs before the Akal Takht but criticised the Chief Minister for not attending personally.
"I believe the Chief Minister should have gone as well. Any directive issued by our supreme authority must be followed," Dhillon said.
"I strongly condemn the CM's absence. He is an MLA too, and the directive applies equally to everyone," he added.
Dhillon also revisited allegations surrounding a forensic examination of a disputed video and questioned why public money was spent obtaining certification if the government's position was already clear.
BJP Punjab vice-president Fatehjung Singh Bajwa said the legislation suffered from major shortcomings because the SGPC and Akal Takht Secretariat were not consulted.
"The Jathedar Sahib directed that a revised law be drafted within a month in consultation with all stakeholders to ensure no loopholes remain," Bajwa said.
He further alleged that the AAP government introduced the law to divert attention from its failure to deliver justice in sacrilege cases despite making strong promises before coming to power.
BJP MP Tarun Chugh launched the strongest attack, demanding action against Bhagwant Mann.
"Bhagwant Mann has committed many sins, and to hide those, he indulged in even more sins. Nothing is above Sri Akal Takht Sahib," Chugh said.
"Leaving his arrogance behind, Bhagwant Mann should appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib. A case of sacrilege should be registered against him, and he should be arrested," he added.
Congress MLA Pargat Singh accused both the BJP-led Centre and the AAP government of politicising sacrilege issues.
"Those found guilty in sacrilege cases registered after 2015 should receive strict punishment," he said, while alleging that Arvind Kejriwal was attempting to divert attention from the issue.
Pargat Singh further claimed there was little difference between the political approach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that Punjab was being subjected to new laws without adequate consultation.
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said the matter was now entirely before the Akal Takht.
"A beadbi has occurred, it has been committed by Bhagwant Mann, and the Jathedar of the Akal Takht Sahib is holding him accountable," Bajwa said.
Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali said every Sikh must accept the authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
"For us, Sri Akal Takht Sahib is supreme; it is supreme for every Sikh. We will abide by whatever order is given by the Jathedar without question," Ayali said.
Referring to the legislation, he said the Opposition had already suggested keeping room for amendments to prevent misuse and insisted the government should implement any recommendations coming from the SGPC or Akal Takht without hesitation.
The Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, was passed unanimously by the Punjab Assembly on April 13.
The law introduces life imprisonment for criminal conspiracy in sacrilege cases involving the Guru Granth Sahib where there is intent to disturb communal harmony, along with fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakh. It also prescribes imprisonment of up to 20 years for sacrilege offences and creates a framework for monitoring the printing, storage and distribution of Saroops through a central SGPC-maintained register.
The legislation additionally defines custodial responsibilities and mandates reporting of any damage, disappearance or suspected sacrilege.
However, Sikh religious authorities argue that key provisions interfere with the authority of Sikh institutions and were enacted without consultation with the SGPC, Sri Akal Takht Sahib or the wider Guru Khalsa Panth.
With the Akal Takht now setting a one-month deadline and political parties lining up on either side of the controversy, the Punjab government faces mounting pressure to revisit one of its most sensitive pieces of legislation before the state heads toward the 2027 Assembly elections. (ANI)
