Amritsar: The committee of legal experts and scholars constituted by the Akal Takht to examine the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, has sought a complete stay on the legislation’s implementation.During a meeting held at Sri Anandpur Sahib on Saturday, the committee also asked the govt to submit a compliance report on the directions issued by the Akal Takht before holding further discussions on the legislation.The meeting was attended by acting jathedar of the Akal Takht Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, Justice Rupinder Singh Sodhi (retd), Justice Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi (retd), senior advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Sikh scholar Dr Kehar Singh, and Prof Jagmohan Singh.The deliberations followed an Oct 23 communication from the nodal officer of the coordination committee constituted by the Punjab govt, seeking a meeting with the expert panel. The Akal Takht secretariat had forwarded the communication to the panel coordinator for necessary action.The committee said govt must first comply with the Akal Takht’s June 29, 2026, directions and provide details of the action taken so far. It recalled that a statement issued on Aug 7 had also sought a compliance report, which govt had not submitted.The members maintained that the legislation should not be implemented until a consensus was reached with the Akal Takht.The committee members further said that despite the directions issued by the Akal Takht to Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on May 8, 2026, and subsequently to Punjab ministers and MLAs on June 29, the state govt had so far taken no concrete steps to incorporate the sentiments and concerns expressed by the Akal Takht regarding the Amendment Act, 2026.The committee further said govt’s sincerity in resolving the issue would be established only through a complete stay on the Act’s implementation.Govt Told To Submit Compliance Report (BOX)The Akal Takht committee has asked the govt to submit a compliance report before holding further discussions on the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) ActThe expert committee said govt should comply with the June 29, 2026, directions of the Akal Takht and provide details on the action taken so farThe Saturday’s meeting was held after the nodal officer of the coordination committee constituted by the Punjab govt on Oct 23 sought a meeting with the Akal Takht expert panelThe expert committee claimed that despite the directions issued by the Akal Takht to the Punjab minister on June 29, no concrete steps were taken by govt to address their concerns regarding the amendmentThey highlighted that directions were also issued to Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on May 8
