The Akal Takht has summoned Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on May 8 to explain why the Sikh high priests were not consulted before the state government passed the tougher anti-sacrilege Act on April 13. The Act also rejected provisions requiring detailed administrative records of the ‘saroops' of Guru Granth Sahib.
Jathedar's Remarks
Officiating jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj told the media that Sandhwan should have exercised greater caution on a matter of such deep religious sensitivity. He asserted that his position demands procedural neutrality and a moral responsibility to safeguard sentiments tied to Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The decision was taken during a meeting of Panthic bodies and Sikh high priests at Bhai Gurdas Hall on Sunday.
Concerns Over Bypassing Religious Authority
Giani Gargajj argued that the Punjab government's move to amend the Act ignored both religious institutional authority and collective Sikh sentiment. He questioned why the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) were not taken into confidence. Despite indications from the Akal Takht, the government bypassed established religious frameworks and failed to engage in dialogue, he added.
Details of the Amendment
On April 13, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026,' which introduced harsher punishments—including life imprisonment—for the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. While Giani Gargajj clarified that the Panth supports strict punishment for those guilty in long-pending sacrilege cases, he maintained that implementing matters related to maryada (the Sikh code of conduct) without prior deliberation was unacceptable.
Objection to Record-Keeping Provision
Regarding the provision to maintain records of printed saroops, Giani Gargajj argued that such requirements risk reducing a deeply spiritual and sovereign relationship to a mere administrative exercise. "Why should details of the Guru's saroops be documented in a manner open to state scrutiny?" he questioned.
Justice Delayed in Sacrilege Cases
He said justice remains delayed in several sacrilege cases, particularly those of 2015. Giani Gargajj said despite multiple governments, the main accused have not been held accountable. He also cited the failure to deliver justice to the victims of the Maur bomb incident.
Focus on Release of Sikh Prisoners
A key focus of the meeting remained the release of ‘Bandi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners), including Balwant Singh Rajoana. The jathedar said Rajoana's petition has been pending for years without a final decision. The meeting also deliberated on the status of other Sikh prisoners who remain incarcerated despite completing their sentences.
