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Anti-sacrilege law brought in without Akal Takht’s confidence: Jathedar
Punjab Assembly passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026 on April 13, tightening penalties for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. On May 3, a special gathering in Amritsar rejected the amended law for not consulting Sikh apex bodies, and called for clarification from the Assembly Speaker. The Akal Takht plans a clause-by-clause discussion with the Speaker on May 8 at the Akal Takht Secretariat.
Why It Matters
The event highlights tensions between religious authorities and state legislation over internal religious matters, with potential implications for how sacrilege cases are handled and how Sikh institutions interact with the government.
Timeline
3 Events
Speaker invited for clause-by-clause discussion on the Act at Akal Takht
May 3, 2026
The Akal Takht announced that Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has been invited to the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat in Amritsar for a clause-by-clause discussion on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, with the discussion scheduled for May 8.
Amritsar gathering opposes the amended anti-sacrilege law; calls for consultation with Khalsa Panth
May 3, 2026
In Amritsar, a special gathering of Sikh institutions, organisations and scholars reaches a consensus that the amended Act should not be accepted because the Khalsa Panth and Sri Akal Takht Sahib were not taken into confidence before it was enacted. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj stated that matters related to Sri Guru Granth Sahib are internal religious affairs and no government can impose laws on Sikhs in this regard. The meeting invited Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat for a clause-by-clause discussion on May 8, aimed at understanding why representative Sikh institutions were ignored.
Punjab Assembly passes Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026
April 13, 2026
The Punjab Assembly unanimously passes the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, bringing stricter punishment for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, including life imprisonment, as reported in the session.