Chandigarh: A day after the Akal Takht-led congregation at Takht Damdama Sahib against provisions of the Jaagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, a section of Sikh jurists and scholars on Monday demanded complete repeal of both the 2008 law and the 2026 amendment, asserting that no government had the authority to legislate on matters concerning the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib.
Press Conference at Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Addressing a press conference at Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, several prominent figures urged Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj not to negotiate amendments but to press for repeal. The speakers included Justice Nirmal Singh (retd), advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian, former IAS officer Gurtej Singh, Paramjit Singh Gazi, journalist Jaspal Singh Sidhu, Prof Davinder Singh, and Gurpreet Singh.
Key Arguments Against the Law
The speakers emphasized that matters relating to the reverence and sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib rested solely with the Panth and could not be subjected to state control, bureaucratic regulation, or police administration. They argued that the Sikh Panth should evolve its own internal mechanism to deal with sacrilege cases.
Justice Nirmal Singh (retd) said both the parent 2008 Act and the amendment should be declared null and void. He questioned how the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib would be maintained if it became case property during investigations and trials. He further stated, "The new law appears not to prevent sacrilege, but to commit it," while also questioning why the Akal Takht and SGPC did not oppose the 2008 Act when it was enacted.
Paramjit Singh Gazi termed the law's basic flaw as snatching our decision-making and said failure to seek repeal now would amount to falling into a well a second time. He called total abrogation the only solution and warned that retaining the law would leave scope for further legislation and amendments.
Concerns Over Government Interference
Sikh historian Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian also opposed the law, saying government interference in matters concerning Guru Granth Sahib could not be tolerated. He too expressed concern over Guru Granth Sahib becoming case property in sacrilege cases.
Prof Davinder Singh said, "Guru Granth Sahib is not a state subject," while advocate Puran Singh Hundal raised concerns over the possibility of misuse of the law. Former IAS officer Gurtej Singh termed the legislation liable to misuse and said it should be outrightly rejected.
