Congress Leaders Appear Before Sikh High Priests
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa led a delegation of Congress MLAs to the Akal Takht on Monday to explain the party's stand on the new anti-sacrilege law. Appearing before the five Sikh high priests, headed by acting Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Congress leaders said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had not held wider consultations before passing the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Bajwa Raises Concerns Over Committee Delay
Bajwa told the high priests that he had raised serious concerns in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha over the inordinate delay by a committee constituted to examine the draft Bill and seek public opinion. The committee, formed after a notice under Rule 224, deliberated for nine months without submitting its findings. Despite repeated reminders, it made no substantial progress, Bajwa added.
Reading out his statement from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Bajwa questioned the government's seriousness on this issue of significant public importance. He demanded that the committee be directed to finalise and table its report at the earliest.
Legal and Religious Concerns Highlighted
Congress MLA Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, who was a member of the committee, said several legal and religious concerns had to be addressed to ensure that the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib was protected even during legal proceedings. The Congress leaders also raised broader concerns about the functioning of such committees and stressed the need for greater accountability in the legislative process.
The delegation's appearance before the Akal Takht underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the anti-sacrilege law, which aims to prevent desecration of the Sikh holy scripture. The Congress party has maintained that the legislation was rushed through without adequate input from religious leaders and the public.
