Amritsar, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Monday gave an ultimatum to the AAP government in Punjab of one month to remove the objectionable clauses from the highly sensitive, recently enacted Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkaar (Amendment) Act, 2026, in line with Sikh sentiments.
The directive came from Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, after all Sikh legislators and ministers appeared before the Akal Takht and, by raising their hands, agreed to review the law afresh. Till then, the law will be put on hold.
The Jathedar questioned why the government had attempted to define religious terminology through legislation.
He objected to replacing the term "Bir" with "Saroop" and raised concerns over provisions relating to the SGPC's role in the printing and publication of Guru Granth Sahib Birs.
He also questioned the lawmakers over the lack of community consultation prior to the Bill's passage.
The Jathedar also sought details from the government regarding the 2015 Bargari sacrilege cases, questioning why the Sirsa Dera chief had not been brought to the state for questioning.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann did not appear before the Jathedar as he had earlier been declared "Guru Dokhi" by the Akal Takht over a viral video.
Responding to the Akal Takht's directive, the assembled lawmakers assured the highest temporal seat of Sikhs that the amendments would be made in accordance with Sikh religious sentiments within the stipulated timeframe.
The five-member clergy, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Gargaj, comprised Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh Dhanaula and Darbar Sahib granthis Giani Baljit Singh, Giani Kewal Singh, and Giani Mangal Singh.
The Vidhan Sabha passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, on April 13, and it was subsequently granted assent by the Governor.
After a two-hour hearing that saw the presence of legislators from all the political parties, comprising the AAP, the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa told the media that he apprised the Akal Takht Sahib that the government chose to ignore the constructive suggestions made by him in the Assembly regarding the sacrilege Act.
Bajwa said legislators had not been given sufficient time to study the draft Bill in detail. He said laws dealing with sensitive religious matters require thorough discussion and careful scrutiny before being passed.
Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who also appeared before the highest temporal seat, told the media that a long and highly meaningful, constructive discussion took place between their Punjab Assembly MLAs, Cabinet Ministers, and the respected Jathedars.
He said he firmly believed that Guru Patshah would continue to bestow his blessings upon them. He added that they hold absolute reverence for the Jathedar Sahab, this institution, the Panth, and Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj.
Regarding the conversations that took place inside, the Speaker said they would definitely ask the government to review and consider them thoroughly.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the Jathedar granted them a one-month reprieve. He stated that the Jathedar had proposed certain amendments and modifications to the MLAs of all political parties, which he would formally transmit to them through the Honourable Speaker.
Once they received those insights and the specified amendments sent by the Jathedar from the Akal Takht, they would thoroughly review them and immediately take a collective decision, Cheema told the media.
Source: IANS
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