Amritsar, June 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Monday directed the Punjab Government to review and rectify the objections raised to the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026 within one month, while advising that the implementation of the legislation be kept on hold until the concerns are addressed.
The directions were issued by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj during a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahiban with Sikh Ministers, MLAs and the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Around 78 legislators, including Cabinet Ministers, the Speaker and Sikh MLAs from different political parties, attended the proceedings in response to summons issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
During the meeting, the Jathedar explained the religious and constitutional objections to the legislation and handed over a written copy of the concerns to the legislators. He directed them to ensure that the objections are addressed within one month and a compliance report is submitted to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
He also advised the Punjab Government to withhold the implementation of the Act until the disputed provisions are reviewed and corrected.
According to those present, the Jathedar interacted with the legislators, posed questions regarding the legislation and also played video clips during the proceedings to explain the basis of the objections raised by the Sikh clergy.
Sources said several legislators acknowledged that they had not studied the Bill in detail before supporting it during the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in April this year, while some others admitted they were not fully aware of all its provisions.
Addressing the gathering, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj maintained that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had intervened because the legislation, in its present form, crossed into matters falling within the religious jurisdiction of Sikh institutions.
He instructed that a copy of the objections would also be formally handed over to Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. The Government, he said, should take whatever legislative or administrative steps are necessary—including convening a special session of the Assembly, if required—to remove the objections within the stipulated one-month period.
The Jathedar clarified that Sri Akal Takht Sahib was not opposed to legislation aimed at preventing sacrilege. However, he asserted that any law dealing with Sikh religious matters must not infringe upon the authority, traditions or autonomy of Sikh religious institutions.
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