Chandigarh/Amritsar, Jul 29 (PTI) AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Wednesday submitted the Punjab government’s response to objections raised by the Akal Takht regarding the anti-sacrilege law.
On June 29, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj had directed the Punjab government to address objections concerning the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 within a month.
Nijjar, along with Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh, handed over the documents to Bagicha Singh, in-charge of the Secretariat of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.
The Punjab government has convened the Monsoon Session of the Assembly from August 3, during which it is expected to amend the anti-sacrilege law.
Media advisor at Akal Takht Secretariat, Jaskaran Singh, confirmed that representatives of the Punjab government have officially submitted the government’s response.
In a statement, Singh said Akal Takht had given a one-month deadline and the government’s response was submitted only after the last day had passed. This reflected the government’s lack of seriousness about a legislation related to the serious issue of sacrilege.
As directed by the Jathedar, MLA Nijjar and the deputy commissioner were informed that any decision would be taken by the Akal Takht only after a thorough examination of the documents submitted by the government, he added.
Accusing the government of delaying initiation of communication, Singh said meaningful coordination with the Akal Takht should have been established during the one-month period so that serious deliberations on the issue could have progressed.
He suggested that further discussions should be conducted through a joint committee comprising representatives of the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the Punjab government, to reach a consensus.
Singh said it was made clear to the Punjab government that nothing short of the objections and Sikh sentiments officially conveyed by the Akal Takht would be acceptable.
No amendment to the law framed by the government could be accepted until consensus was reached with the Akal Takht and the SGPC, he asserted.
He further pointed out that government’s response had not been discussed with the Sikh institutions or their representatives and would now be examined by the Akal Takht Sahib.
He said the government representatives were told that it should not hastily proceed with further legislative amendments in the Assembly and should first obtain the opinion and consent of the Akal Takht Sahib and the SGPC.
Jathedar Gargajj had, on June 29, directed the Punjab government to remove objectionable clauses in the anti-sacrilege law within a month.
He had passed the direction after pointing out several objections related to the law at a gathering of all Sikh MLAs and cabinet ministers of Punjab, who were summoned in Amritsar by the Akal Takht.
Among several objections, the Akal Takht had pointed out that the Vidhan Sabha had no right to decide on Sikh terminology and it is the exclusive domain of the Akal Takht.
It also questioned the word “custodian” of the religious text, who is responsible for the protection of “Saroop” (copy) and observance of the “Sikh Rehat Maryada” (Sikh Code of Conduct).
The top Sikh body was also against maintaining a central register containing details of the printing, storage and supply of Saroops in physical and electronic forms and assigning the unique identification number to each “Saroop”.
Notably, the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was unanimously passed by the Punjab Assembly on April 13. It includes a provision for stricter punishment, including life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh for any act of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. PTI CHS RUK RUK
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