AAP Leaders To Appear Before Akal Takht On June 29 Over Anti-Sacrilege Law

All Sikh MLAs and ministers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government in Punjab are set to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 to present the state’s stand on the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. The legislation, passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13, has been under scrutiny from the highest temporal authority of the Sikh faith, which had summoned elected representatives for clarification.

Following a closed-door meeting with Sikh legislators and ministers in Amritsar, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accompanied by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, said the party respects the authority of the Akal Takht and will submit its written response on the legislation. He added that even non-Sikh MLAs would provide written submissions as part of the government’s coordinated response.

Mann stated that the representatives would appear before the Akal Takht and present the government’s position in accordance with its summons. He clarified that he himself has not been called but confirmed that ministers, MLAs and the Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan would participate in the proceedings. He also said the government would abide by the directions issued by the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

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Responding to questions regarding a controversial video linked to him, Mann said he would submit a written explanation and reiterated that he was not the person featured in the footage. He also said he would accept any decision taken by the Akal Takht, including earlier references to him being labelled “Guru Dokhi” and “Panth Dokhi,” adding that he respects the sentiments of the Sikh community.

Mann further said that despite calls for a social boycott, he continues to receive support during public visits to gurdwaras. He also questioned certain administrative actions linked to Akal Takht directives and alleged that political opponents were attempting to give religious colour to political issues. Meanwhile, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal raised separate political concerns and announced a proposed religious tourism initiative linked to Ram Tirath in Amritsar.

The summons issued by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj on June 15 applies to Sikh legislators across party lines, including Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal representatives, many of whom have confirmed their appearance. The proceedings are centred on objections to the anti-sacrilege law, which the Akal Takht and SGPC have said was passed without adequate consultation with the Sikh community.

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