Akal Takht asks Punjab govt to suspend sacrilege law until consensus, expresses disappointment over delay
PTC Web Desk: Sri Akal Takht Sahib has asked the Punjab Government to issue a notification suspending the implementation of 'Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 until a consensus is reached on the proposed changes.
The direction came after the deadline given by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to the Punjab Government to make further amendments to the legislation ended on September 30.
According to information shared by the Punjab Government's Home Affairs Department with the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the state government constituted a seven-member committee on September 16 to take the matter forward.
The government said the committee would consider the suggestions and guidance received from Sri Akal Takht Sahib with due respect. It also said that the committee would hold discussions and coordinate with the committee constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib before finalising the matter.
However, Sri Akal Takht Sahib expressed disappointment over the government's handling of the issue.
Secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh said the information received from the Punjab Government had been brought to the notice of Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. He said the Jathedar expressed concern that the government had not shown the required seriousness and that its approach appeared irresponsible.
Bagicha Singh said Sri Akal Takht Sahib had earlier granted the government two months to make further amendments to the Act in accordance with Sikh sentiments. However, instead of presenting concrete progress, the government informed the Akal Takht about the formation of its committee only on the final day of the deadline, September 30.
He also referred to an earlier deadline issued on June 29. According to him, the government had again submitted its response on the last day of that deadline, July 29, through the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner. The response was subsequently rejected by the Jathedar.
On July 30, Sri Akal Takht Sahib had constituted a five-member committee comprising legal experts and scholars to continue discussions with the government and work towards resolving the matter.
Bagicha Singh said although the Punjab Government formed its seven-member committee on September 16, the Akal Takht was officially informed about it only after the deadline was about to expire. He said this raised concerns that the matter was being delayed instead of being resolved.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib has now asked the Punjab Government to issue a notification keeping the law suspended until an agreement is reached between the concerned sides. The Jathedar had earlier also asked the government to take such a step.
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- PTC NEWS
