The Akal Takht on Monday directed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab to amend the recently enacted ‘Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026’ within one month after raising objections to several provisions of the legislation. The directive came after Sikh ministers and legislators, including those from the ruling party, appeared before the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs to explain their support for the law.
During the proceedings, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj questioned ministers and MLAs over the circumstances under which the legislation was passed. He also played two video clips of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in which the Chief Minister stated that if a person found guilty of sacrilege was mentally ill, punishment could extend to the individual’s parents or custodian. The Jathedar asked the legislators whether such a provision was actually part of the law.
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Khuddian did not provide a clear response, while AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar suggested that the proceedings should not be telecast live as the issue was sensitive. In response, the Jathedar remarked that it was the Chief Minister himself who had earlier advocated live telecasts of such proceedings.
The Jathedar further questioned whether Sikh religious bodies, particularly the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), had been formally consulted before the amendments were introduced. Nijjar maintained that suggestions had been invited and the SGPC had been approached, though he said no written response was received from the committee. Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa said he had raised the issue of consultation in the Assembly, but his request was not accepted. AAP MLA Jagroop Singh admitted that although he supported the legislation, he had not read the Bill before giving his consent. Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur also criticised the ruling party’s approach during the discussion.
After hearing the legislators, Giani Gargaj outlined five major objections to the law. He clarified that the Akal Takht had no objection to stringent punishment for acts of sacrilege, but objected to the Assembly defining Sikh religious terminology and traditions. He said issues such as replacing the word “Bir” with “Saroop”, introducing the term “custodian”, assigning unique identification numbers to Guru Granth Sahib saroops and prescribing the duties of custodians fall within the jurisdiction of the Sikh Panth and the Akal Takht, not the legislature.
Issuing directions to the government, the Jathedar said the identified objections must be addressed within one month and the legislation should remain on hold until the necessary amendments are made. He also suggested that any law dealing with sacrilege should include provisions to initiate legal action against heads of deras where sacrilege occurs, as well as against those who allegedly shelter the offenders.
Before the hearing, Giani Gargaj said the amendments had been made without the consent of the Khalsa Panth and by bypassing Sikh religious institutions. He alleged that the government had interfered in religious affairs and encroached upon the authority of the Akal Takht by making changes to the 2008 legislation without proper consultation.
The appearance of Sikh ministers and legislators followed objections raised by the Akal Takht over the process adopted in framing the law. The religious body sought an explanation from them on why they supported the legislation despite what it described as significant shortcomings.
The Punjab government has defended the legislation, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stating that the law was enacted in response to the long-standing demand of the Sikh community for stricter punishment against sacrilege. According to the government, the Act provides for life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh for those convicted of such offences. Mann has also accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of opposing the legislation for political reasons while reiterating that his government remains committed to implementing the law.
Meanwhile, AAP MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur may also face scrutiny during the proceedings. Giani Gargaj said she would be asked to explain her earlier remarks in which she allegedly described the Akal Takht Jathedar as a “burden” on the institution. The comments had drawn criticism from several Sikh organisations, which termed them disrespectful and an insult to the dignity of the Akal Takht.
The Shiromani Akali Dal had recently submitted a written complaint to the Akal Takht Secretariat seeking action against Jeevan Jyot Kaur. The party urged the Akal Takht to summon the legislator, arguing that the office of the Jathedar is held in the highest regard by the Sikh community and that objectionable remarks against the institution had hurt religious sentiments.