A major religious and political development unfolded in Punjab after all Sikh members of the state legislative assembly were summoned before the Akal Takht in Amritsar over a recently passed anti-sacrilege law. The meeting was called to address objections raised by the highest temporal authority in Sikhism regarding the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which governs the protection of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest scripture in Sikhism.
The controversy centres on the state’s attempt to strengthen laws against sacrilege, including stricter punishments for offences involving disrespect to religious scriptures. The 2026 Act prescribes life imprisonment and heavy fines for acts of sacrilege committed with criminal intent to disturb peace, along with lower penalties for other related offences. It also introduces a centralised tracking system for every printed copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, assigning identification numbers and maintaining detailed records of custody and distribution through the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Despite being passed unanimously in the Punjab Assembly, the law drew objections from the Akal Takht, which argued that it was enacted without proper consultation with Sikh religious authorities, including the Takht itself and the wider Sikh Panth. The clergy also objected to certain provisions, including the replacement of the term “bir” with “saroop,” and the legal framing of religious custodians and institutions, which they said amounted to state interference in religious affairs. Concerns were also raised over public disclosure of sensitive information related to custody of religious scriptures.
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The dispute escalated when the Akal Takht issued notices to all Sikh MLAs and ministers, summoning them to explain their position. Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj earlier gave the Punjab government a deadline to address objections, stating that failure to consult the highest Sikh temporal body undermined religious sentiments. At an earlier hearing, legislators had been instructed to reconsider the law, but no amendments were introduced within the given timeframe, leading to the latest summons.
On Monday, all 78 Sikh MLAs, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, cabinet ministers, opposition leaders, and the Punjab Assembly Speaker, appeared before the Akal Takht. After deliberations, the clergy issued a one-month deadline for the state government to amend the legislation in accordance with Sikh sentiments and presented a formal list of objections. The attending legislators agreed to review and amend the law accordingly, signalling an attempt to defuse tensions between the state government and religious authorities.
The episode comes amid an already sensitive political climate in Punjab, with parallel controversies involving the Chief Minister and allegations linked to a disputed video, further intensifying scrutiny of the government’s relationship with religious institutions. While the state insists the law aims to deter sacrilege and protect religious sentiments, the Akal Takht has made it clear that any legislation concerning Sikh scripture must be framed in consultation with Sikh religious authorities, underscoring the continuing overlap of religion and politics in Punjab’s public life.
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