3 weeks ago
Akal Takht panel demands compliance report before anti-sacrilege bill talks
Leaders of a very important Sikh religious group, called the Akal Takht, are upset with the Punjab government.
The government wants to change a law about how the Sikh holy book should be treated.
The Akal Takht had earlier given the government a list of things to do.
The government sent back an answer, but the Akal Takht says it did not answer their worries.
The leaders worry that the new law could interfere with the Sikh religion.
So they decided there will be no more talks for now.
They want the government to first show that it followed their earlier instructions.
The Akal Takht also told the Punjab government's leaders about its concerns on July 31.
It is also unhappy that the government did not make its own group to discuss the matter.
For now, the Akal Takht is waiting for the government to do the right things first.
The Experts' Panel constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib refused further talks with the Punjab Government until it submits a compliance report on the June 29, 2026 directives issued by the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib.
The decision came at the panel's first meeting, attended by Justice (Retd.) Rupinder Singh Sodhi, Justice (Retd.) Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi, Senior Advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Dr Kehar Singh and Prof Jagmohan Singh.
The panel said the Punjab Government's July 29 response failed to address key objections, including concerns that provisions of the proposed legislation could interfere with Sikh religious affairs.
The panel added that the Khalsa Panth's concerns were conveyed on July 31 to the Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly and members of the Punjab Cabinet.
The panel expressed disappointment that the government did not constitute its own committee for discussions and termed its approach 'non-constructive' on the sensitive issue of sacrilege.
- Who
- The Experts' Panel constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Punjab Government.
- What
- The panel declared there will be no further discussions on the proposed Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 until the government submits a compliance report on the Jathedar's June 29, 2026 directives.
- Where
- Punjab, India; the meeting was coordinated through the SGPC Sub-Office in Chandigarh.
- When
- After the Punjab Government's July 29 response; the panel's decision came at its first meeting, and concerns were conveyed on July 31.
- Why
- Because the panel said the government's reply sidestepped core objections, including concerns that the bill could interfere with Sikh religious affairs, and the government failed to constitute its own committee.
Akal Takht Panel
Punjab Government
Prerequisite for talks
Akal Takht Panel
No discussions on the proposed act until the government submits a compliance report on the June 29, 2026 directives.
Punjab Government
The government submitted a reply within the one-month period granted by Akal Takht Sahib, but the panel says it did not address the core issues.
Sikh religious affairs
Akal Takht Panel
Certain provisions of the bill could interfere with Sikh religious affairs and must be corrected.
Punjab Government
According to the panel, the government's response sidestepped these objections instead of addressing them.
Engagement process
Akal Takht Panel
The government should have constituted its own committee for discussions and instead acted in a 'non-constructive' manner.
Punjab Government
The government, as reported by the panel, did not constitute a committee despite being given sufficient time.
Key facts
- Key Legislation
- Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026
- Body
- Experts' Panel constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib
- Directives Issued
- June 29, 2026, by the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib
- Government Response
- July 29, 2026
- Concerns Conveyed
- July 31, 2026, to the Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly and Punjab Cabinet members
- Panel Stance
- No further talks until a compliance report is submitted
- Panel Members
- Justice (Retd.) Rupinder Singh Sodhi, Justice (Retd.) Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi, Senior Advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Dr Kehar Singh, Prof Jagmohan Singh
Quotes
Akal Takht Panel
Representatives of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib panel reviewing the proposed bill
“"non-constructive"”
NDTV
Sources
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