Akal Takht asks Punjab government to amend anti-sacrilege law within a month

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj directed the Punjab government to amend objectionable provisions in the anti-sacrilege law within a month and suspend its implementation until changes are made. Sikh MLAs and ministers appeared before the Akal Takht following its summons

Amritsar: Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj directed the Punjab government on Monday to remove objectionable clauses in the anti-sacrilege law within a month, as all Sikh MLAs, including ministers, from the state appeared before the highest seat of Sikhism after being summoned.

Addressing the lawmakers at the Akal Takht, its head priest Gargajj pointed out several objections to the law and asked the state to put on hold the implementation of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, until suitable amendments are made.

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Jathedar Gargajj had, on June 15, directed all Sikh legislators, regardless of party affiliation, and Sikh ministers to appear before the highest temporal seat of Sikhs for their clarification after it objected to the anti-sacrilege law, saying that it was enacted without consulting the Sikh Panth.

The Akal Takht had earlier also asked the state government to remove certain provisions from the anti-sacrilege Act, claiming that they are “against the Guru Granth Sahib, the Khalsa Panth and the sentiments of the ‘Sangat’ (Sikh community)”. Gargajj said a total of 87 MLAs, including ministers, were present.

He said objections relating to the law should be addressed within one month by bringing suitable amendments, and also urged the state government not to interfere in religious affairs.

Gargajj also handed over a list of objections to the MLAs, including one regarding the replacement of the word ‘Bir’ with ‘saroop’ (a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib). The Jathedar told the MLAs and ministers that the state assembly had no right to decide on the Sikh terminology, and asserted that only Akal Takht could take a call on the matter.

He also pointed to certain provisions of the law regarding the word “custodians” and the unique identification number of ‘saroop’ to which the Akal Takht had objections.

He, however, stated that he had no objection to punishing those who are guilty of desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib. Later, addressing the media, Gargajj claimed that all MLAs gave their approval to bringing changes in the law by raising their hands.

He further said that until the amendments in the law take place, its implementation should be put on hold. Gargajj said he also asked for the inclusion of a provision in the law for the registration of an FIR against a Dera chief if the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib is carried out by any follower of that Dera “under a conspiracy”.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the jathedar has given one month for carrying out amendments in the law.

“He has proposed some amendments, which he will send through the Punjab Assembly speaker. When we get them, we will take a decision within one month after discussing the same,” said Cheema. The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13.

It includes a provision for stricter punishment, including life imprisonment for any act of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. Speaking to reporters before the appearance of MLAs in Amritsar on Monday, Jathedar Gargajj accused the AAP government of interfering in religious affairs and the authority of the Akal Takht. He alleged that the party was trying to “come between the Guru and the Sikh” through the anti-sacrilege law.

“We should not go against Guru Panth and Guru Granth Sahib. We should go as per the sentiments of the Sikh Panth,” he said. Among the Sikh Cabinet ministers summoned were Harpal Singh Cheema, Ravjot Singh, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Baljit Kaur, Balbir Singh and Harbhajan Singh.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, AAP MLAs Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal, Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress MLAs Pargat Singh, Rana Gurjit Singh, Barindermeet Singh Pahra, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia were also summoned.

Earlier, Jathedar Gargajj said that while there may be laws for those accused of sacrilege, no law can be imposed on the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Sangat and ‘sewadars’. He had also said that making public on the SGPC’s website information regarding who has the ‘sacred birs’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is highly objectionable because it could expose the personal information of devout Sikhs, claiming that anti-Sikh forces and mischievous elements may misuse it.

Gargajj had, on June 15, said that Punjab Assembly Speaker Sandhwan had been summoned on May 8 and was given 15 days to make amendments to the law in accordance with Sikh sentiments.

Written objections from the Akal Takht were also formally conveyed to the Punjab government on May 11. “However, the state government adopted an obstinate and arrogant attitude, completely ignoring the Akal Takht and Sikh sentiments,” the Jathedar had said.