Bhagwant Mann, Sikh MLAs Appear Before Akal Takht Over Anti-Sacrilege Law

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, all 78 Sikh MLAs, nine Sikh Cabinet Ministers and Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan appeared before the Akal Takht on Monday to explain the government’s amended anti-sacrilege law, following objections that it had bypassed consultation with Sikh religious bodies.

The appearance followed the enactment of the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which the Punjab Assembly passed unanimously on 13 April.

The Governor approved the legislation within a week.

The Akal Takht objected to the amendment, stating that the government had failed to consult it, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other Panthic organisations before introducing the law.

Ahead of the meeting, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said the government had bypassed Sikh institutions while amending the legislation.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj accused the government of bypassing Sikh institutions and passing the law without proper consultation.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said the government ignored the Akal Takht’s directive to consult Sikh bodies before drafting the law.

The Akal Takht summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Sikh Ministers, the Speaker and all Sikh MLAs, while non-Sikh legislators were asked to submit written explanations.

The Assembly unanimously passed the Bill, which proposes stricter punishment for sacrilege, with support from the AAP, Congress and BJP.

Ahead of the appearance, Mann said the government would respect every directive issued by the Akal Takht and present its stand with humility.

Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar urged AAP legislators to follow their conscience while appearing before the Akal Takht, saying they faced a defining moment in deciding where their loyalty lay.

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