Devotees arriving at the Golden Temple under the Punjab government's Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana were asked to remove identity cards featuring Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's photograph before entering the shrine. The incident occurred on July 4, 2026, a day before a Panthic gathering called by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over the CM's alleged controversial video.
Activists Object to CM Photo on ID Cards
Sikh activists from the Awaaz-e-Qaum organisation, led by Nobeljit Singh and others, noticed that many pilgrims were wearing identification cards displaying CM Mann's photograph. The activists raised objections, stating that the Akal Takht had declared the Chief Minister a "Guru Dokhi" (traitor to the Guru), and therefore devotees should not enter the gurdwara wearing such cards.
The activists asked the pilgrims to remove the identity cards from around their necks before proceeding inside the shrine. The devotees complied with the directions and removed the cards. Some pilgrims said the cards were issued by the government only for identification during the journey so that group members could be easily identified and would not get separated, and had no other purpose.
SGPC's Panthic Gathering
The SGPC is organising a large Panthic gathering at Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in Amritsar on July 5, 2026. The committee has sent personal invitations to Panthic leaders, members of the Sant Samaj, heads of religious deras, preachers, and heads of various Sikh sects. Extensive arrangements have been made for a large turnout. SGPC members claimed that a convoy of 65 buses from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib left for Amritsar on July 4. The gathering is expected to deliberate on the future course of action to be taken by the Akal Takht regarding the CM's alleged controversial video.
Akal Takht Sends Feedback on Sacrilege Law
On July 4, the Akal Takht Secretariat officially sent its objections and key recommendations regarding the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, to the government. The recommendations, prepared in line with the resolution passed at the June 29 meeting held at the Akal Takht Secretariat, were emailed to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and the Chief Secretary. Akal Takht Secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh said the documents would also be sent to the government through registered post.
