Amritsar, June 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant and unprecedented development amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Punjab’s recently enacted sacrilege law, the Akal Takht has summoned the entire Punjab Cabinet along with all Sikh Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), irrespective of political affiliation, to appear before it on June 29.
The decision was announced on Monday by Akal Takht Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj following a crucial meeting of various Sikh organizations and a subsequent deliberation by the five Sikh high priests.
Addressing the sangat from the parapet of Akal Takht, Acting Jathedar Gargaj said that all Sikh legislators have been called because they supported the legislation without adequately examining its contents or consulting Panthic institutions and leadership.
He stated that the Punjab Cabinet and all Sikh MLAs have been directed to present themselves before the Akal Takht on June 29, which coincides with the anniversary of the great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
According to the Akal Takht, the move is intended to seek clarification and accountability from those who played a role in the passage of the legislation, which many Sikh organizations have termed “anti-Panthic.”
The summons pertains to the anti-sacrilege legislation passed during a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on April 13, 2026. While the Punjab Government has projected the law as a landmark measure aimed at ensuring stringent punishment for acts of sacrilege, it has faced strong opposition from sections of the Sikh community, particularly the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which has described certain provisions as detrimental to Sikh religious principles.
The controversy has triggered a sharp divide between the Punjab Government and Sikh religious bodies. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, members of his Cabinet, the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and leaders of the ruling party have consistently defended the legislation, asserting that it represents a historic initiative to curb incidents of sacrilege through stricter legal provisions.
However, the SGPC and several Sikh organizations have argued that the law interferes with established Sikh religious tenets and institutions. Critics contend that certain provisions disproportionately affect Sikhs rather than focusing solely on individuals responsible for acts of sacrilege.
With the Akal Takht now formally intervening in the matter, the issue is poised to assume greater religious and political significance in Punjab, potentially intensifying the debate over the scope and implications of the controversial legislation.
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