The acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has directed the Punjab government to immediately suspend the implementation of the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. He issued a one-month ultimatum to remove all religious and legal objections raised by the Akal Takht.
Akal Takht Says Government Was Misguided on Sikh Traditions
According to Top News of J&K, Gargaj stated that the government had been "misguided" while drafting the legislation. He said those involved in preparing the legal draft lacked an understanding of Sikh traditions and Panthic conventions. This resulted in avoidable controversy and confusion among the Sikh community.
The ministers and MLAs who were present in the meeting accepted the directions from the Akal Takht.
Widespread Fear and Misconceptions Among Devotees
Gargaj noted that the widespread public debate over the law had created fear and misconceptions among devotees. The Akal Takht's intervention comes after the Sikh body had earlier demanded the removal of certain provisions from the law.
As reported by The Federal, the Akal Takht has asked the Mann government to address objections on the anti-sacrilege law within a month. The Sikh body had earlier demanded removal of certain provisions.
Punjab's Sikh MLAs Summoned Over Anti-Sacrilege Law
The development follows the summoning of Punjab's Sikh MLAs before the Akal Takht over the anti-sacrilege law. According to Haldia Live, the one-month deadline was set for the government to address the concerns raised by the Sikh religious body.
Our Take: A Necessary Correction on Religious Law
This is a significant moment for the Punjab government. The Akal Takht, as the highest temporal authority for Sikhs, has clearly stated that the law was drafted without proper consultation or understanding of Sikh traditions. In our view, the government must take this directive seriously. Rushing through legislation without engaging religious experts creates unnecessary tension. The one-month deadline is reasonable — it gives the government time to fix the law while respecting the concerns of the Sikh community. The key question now is whether the government will act swiftly or allow this controversy to drag on.