Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Akal Takht Blocks Punjab Anti‑Sacrilege Law Without Consensus
The Akal Takht is a very important Sikh religious authority.
Its leader, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, said that the Punjab government’s new law that tries to stop sacrilege is not good.
He wants the government to talk with the whole Sikh community before changing the law.
The government sent a reply, but the Akal Takht said it was not good enough.
A special group of Sikh experts will try to help both sides agree.
The next big meeting in the Punjab Assembly will be on August 3, and no part of the law will be discussed until everyone agrees.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj rejected Punjab government’s response to objections on the anti‑sacrilege law.
The Jathedar directed Sikh MLAs, ministers and the Assembly speaker to halt any discussion or amendment of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 until a Panthic consensus is reached.
A five‑member committee of Sikh experts has been formed to engage with the government and seek consensus within two months.
The government’s reply, sent via the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner on July 29, was deemed unsatisfactory and ignored most of the Akal Takht’s objections.
The Akal Takht warns that the law could be misused against Sikhs, citing past misuse of TADA and UAPA.
- Who
- Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj and Punjab government officials
- What
- Rejection of the anti‑sacrilege law amendment and demand for Panthic consensus
- When
- June 29 to August 3, 2026 (article dated July 31, 2026)
- Where
- Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Amritsar
- Why
- Concerns about misuse of the law and need for religious consensus
- Act
- Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026
- Key Figure
- Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj
- Government Response Date
- July 29, 2026
- Committee Members
- Justice Rupinder Singh Sodhi, Justice Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi, Senior Advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Dr Kehar Singh Patiala, Prof Jagmohan Singh Ludhiana, Lakhvir Singh
- Next Assembly Session
- August 3, 2026
- Concerned Law
- TADA and UAPA misuse potential