Punjab Government Forms 7-Member Panel To Coordinate With Akal Takht On Anti-Sacrilege Law
Panel will discuss proposed legislation concerning sacrilege cases.
The Punjab government has informed the Jathedar of Akal Takht about the formation of a seven-member committee to hold consultations on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. The panel was constituted on September 16 to maintain coordination with the committee formed by Akal Takht and to submit suggestions and reports to the state government on matters concerning the legislation.
The government’s move is intended to facilitate discussions between the two panels after Akal Takht raised objections to provisions of the amended law. The state committee includes former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Sant Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa, Sant Baba Sewa Singh of Rampur Khera, retired Justices Jaspal Singh and Gurbir Singh, former IPS officer Jatinder Singh Aulakh and Law Officer Preet Inder Pal Singh.
The development follows a recent meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and members of the seven-member panel. The September 27 meeting in Chandigarh was aimed at discussing the legislation and its implementation, with the committee expected to deliberate on the issues before further engagement with the panel constituted by Akal Takht.
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Akal Takht had earlier rejected the Punjab government's response to its objections to the amended legislation as unsatisfactory and constituted a five-member committee for further discussions. The objections have included provisions concerning terminology used for Guru Granth Sahib, the concept of a “custodian” and provisions relating to the identification and record-keeping of the holy scriptures.
The five-member panel appointed by Akal Takht comprises retired Justice Rupinder Singh Sodhi, retired Justice Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi, senior advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Sikh scholar Dr Kehar Singh Patiala and professor Jagmohan Singh. The panel was formed after Akal Takht directed the state government to address the objections raised over the legislation and submit an appropriate response.
The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed unanimously by the Punjab Assembly on April 13 and subsequently received the Governor’s assent before being notified as an Act. The ongoing consultations are focused on the provisions challenged by Akal Takht and the process for addressing the objections through discussions between the state government and the Sikh religious body.
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