Amritsar/Chandigarh: For the first time ever, all Sikh MLAs of Punjab, cutting across party lines, appeared before Akal Takht on Monday to answer objections raised by the apex Sikh religious body to the amended sacrilege law.Officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj gave Punjab govt a month’s time to re-amend Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026 “according to Sikh sentiments”, and eliminate all objectionable clauses. He said he has asked Punjab govt to suspend the law until then. In response, cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema said AAP govt will examine the proposed amendments and take a “positive decision.“Akal Takht maintains that the amendments were passed by Punjab govt without taking its consent or that of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Guru Khalsa Panth. It accuses govt of trying to meddle in religious affairs.Akal Takht objects to bringing granthis, gurdwara committees and other sewadars within the legal framework, and also opposes the clause to display on SGPC’s website information on who possesses the sacred ‘Birs’ of Guru Granth Sahib. The officiating Jathedar asked govt to include the provision to register a case against the head of the Dera concerned if a person connected to it deliberately commits sacrilege.At Monday’s meeting, all Sikh ministers and MLAs agreed to make the changes suggested by Akal Takht.Giani Gargajj said that during the discussions, most MLAs honestly admitted that they did not read the draft of the legal amendment before passing it. This shows that the law was passed by Punjab govt in a hurry without understanding its seriousness and sensitivity, he remarked.“This is very serious negligence by Punjab govt. It sent the draft law to MLAs only a day in advance. Neither was a copy of the original law of 2008 provided to them,” he said.“Through this amendment, govt has interfered in Sikh ‘Maryada’, jurisdiction of Akal Takht and the internal functioning of SGPC. Only Guru Khalsa Panth has the right to take any decision regarding Sri Guru Granth Sahib, not govt,” he added.Minister Cheema said the proposed amendments would be formally communicated by the Vidhan Sabha Speaker. “Once the proposed amendments are received from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the govt will examine them in detail and, after due deliberation, take an appropriate decision,” he said.Cheema and Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan reiterated their reverence for the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs and said Punjab govt would give due consideration to Akal Takht’s suggestions.Sandhwan said it would not be appropriate to disclose details of the discussions keeping in view the dignity and sanctity of the institution. “The matters discussed at Sri Akal Takht Sahib will be conveyed to govt for due consideration,” he added.Opposition parties hit out at AAP govt over the controversy. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said govt was “duty bound” to consult Akal Takht on Sikh religious affairs before formulating any laws.“This was decided in an agreement between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Akali leader Master Tara Singh in 1959, which was referred to by the Jathedar,” said Warring pointing out that even the British rulers did not make any law unilaterally without consulting the Sikh community. “We hope govt will take note of Akal Takht’s instructions and bring about the changes it advises,” he said.Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon accused AAP govt of “playing with Sikh sentiments” and said: “It was due to the gross incompetence and legal flaws of AAP govt that Akal Takht Sahib had to intervene directly. Before passing any Sikh religious legislation, govt should have obtained the consent of SGPC and Akal Takht Sahib, but intoxicated by power, govt ignored all established religious norms and protocols.“
