In a significant move addressing contemporary religious challenges, the five Sikh high priests convened at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar on Sunday and issued major directives for the community. The meeting, focused on preserving Sikh sanctity and identity, resulted in clear prohibitions against the use of modern technology to depict revered figures and against holding core religious ceremonies at secular venues.
Asserting Authority Over Sacred Saroops and Decrying Government Interference
The deliberations placed the sensitive issue of the 328 sacred saroops (volumes) of Guru Granth Sahib at the forefront. The clergy declared this a purely religious matter falling under the exclusive domain of the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Officiating Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, criticized the Punjab government's legal action on the issue. He cited the Ishar Singh Investigation Commission's report, which on page 230 reportedly states that the matter should be resolved through Akal Takht and SGPC authority, not government law or police.
Giani Gargaj emphasized that the SGPC is the Sikhs' constitutional body and that under the Indian Constitution, no government can interfere in a religion's internal affairs. The priests also expressed serious concern over the alleged inaction by Punjab Police on multiple SGPC complaints regarding sacrilege incidents, fake SGPC social media accounts, and anti-Sikh propaganda, demanding an explanation from the government.
Strict Ban on Anand Karaj at Destination Venues
Reaffirming and strengthening earlier orders, the high priests imposed a strict prohibition on conducting 'Anand Karaj' (Sikh marriage ceremony) at non-gurdwara locations. This ban explicitly includes marriage palaces, parks, resorts, beaches, and commercial farmhouses. The directive warns that strict action will be taken against granthis, ragi jathas (musical groups), gurdwara managements, and venue owners who violate this rule, aiming to maintain the sanctity of the religious rite.
Prohibition on Films and AI-Generated Content Depicting Gurus
In a decisive step to address modern technological challenges, the Sikh clergy issued a comprehensive ban on the creation of films, animated movies, and AI-generated videos that imitate or depict the Sikh Gurus, their family members, martyrs, or Sikh ceremonies. Stressing the need to protect Sikh identity and religious code (maryada), the priests directed the SGPC to inform film production houses that no film on Sikh history can be made without its prior approval.
Meeting Attended by Top Religious Leaders
The crucial meeting was led by Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, officiating jathedar of Akal Takht. It was attended by other prominent religious leaders including Giani Tek Singh, jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib; Giani Parwinderpal Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, granthis of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib; and Giani Joginder Singh, head granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Their collective decisions are aimed at guiding the Panth (community) through evolving social and digital landscapes while upholding core religious principles.
