Anti-sacrilege law: Akal Takht urges Punjab govt to resolve row through dialogue, gives fresh two-month deadline
PTC Web Desk: The ongoing disagreement between the Punjab Government and Sri Akal Takht Sahib over the removal of controversial provisions from Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment 2026 has intensified. However, Sri Akal Takht has appealed for dialogue instead of confrontation to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Addressing the issue through a video message released by the Sri Akal Takht Secretariat, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said the government should avoid creating an atmosphere of conflict and instead engage with the committee constituted by Sri Akal Takht to discuss the objections and resolve the matter peacefully.
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Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said Sri Akal Takht has already raised objections to the disputed provisions on two earlier occasions and granted the Punjab Government sufficient time to address the concerns. Now, another two-month period has been provided to reconsider the matter.
He said a six-member committee has been constituted by Sri Akal Takht to hold discussions on the issue. The panel includes two retired Sikh judges, a Sikh advocate, two Sikh scholars, while an official from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has been appointed as the coordinator.
According to him, all members possess legal as well as religious expertise, making them well-equipped to examine the contentious provisions.
Appeal to govt to form its own committee
Giani Gargaj urged the Punjab Government to constitute its own committee so that both sides could hold structured discussions and work towards removing the disputed clauses through mutual consultation.
He maintained that dialogue remains the most appropriate way to resolve the issue rather than allowing tensions to escalate.
The Jathedar also recalled that all Sikh ministers and MLAs had been invited to Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 29. During that meeting, they had reportedly agreed that the objectionable provisions should be removed.
However, he expressed disappointment that the government's subsequent written response did not mention the removal of those disputed clauses.
He asserted that the Sikh community would not accept any legislation if the controversial provisions remained part of the proposed amendment.
A day earlier, the Sri Akal Takht Secretariat had written to the Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, all Sikh MLAs and Sikh ministers. The letter urged them not to support any further amendment related to the Beadbi Amendment Act during the Assembly session scheduled for August 3 unless it had the approval of Sikh Panth.
- PTC NEWS
