Sikh issues should be resolved by Panth, not Govt laws: Misl Satluj President Ajaypal Singh Brar
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), May 13, 2026: Misl Satluj President Ajaypal Singh Brar on Tuesday said the sanctity and honor of Guru Granth Sahib can be protected through Sikh vigilance and Panthic responsibility rather than government legislation.
In a statement issued here, the President of Misl Satluj said bringing Sikh religious matters under government laws goes against Sikh principles, traditions and Panthic autonomy. He said the organisation had consciously decided not to participate in the Samana Morcha due to ideological differences over seeking legal intervention in religious matters.
Brar stated that although several political parties, religious figures and organisations joined the agitation, Misl Satluj maintained a clear stand that relying on government laws to resolve Sikh religious issues could create more serious complications in the future.
“Protection of the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib is possible through Sikh awareness and responsibility, not through government laws,” he said.
Referring to Sikh history, Brar said that ever since Sikh institutions and gurdwara management came under legal and administrative frameworks, the Sikh Panth has not received the expected benefits. He recalled that Sikhs had made immense sacrifices for the freedom of gurdwaras during the movement leading to the formation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, but governments later brought those institutions under legal control.
He said Sikh religious institutions should function independently according to Sikh maryada, traditions and Panthic principles, adding that government interference weakens the distinct identity and autonomy of the Sikh Panth.
Brar further said several questions and controversies have emerged regarding proposed laws related to sacrilege and protection of Guru Granth Sahib’s sanctity. He argued that if the Sikh Panth itself cannot safeguard the honor and dignity of its Guru, expecting governments to do so would be a “serious misconception”.
Citing Sikh history and Panthic ideology, Brar said the responsibility of protecting gurdwaras and maintaining maryada lies primarily with Sikhs themselves. Referring to Sikh scholar Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, he said the Guru’s house has always been regarded as a fortress whose protection is the responsibility of the Panth.
He also maintained that stricter laws alone cannot solve sacrilege-related issues, pointing out that despite several incidents in recent years, punishment has been delivered in only a limited number of cases. He warned that new laws could also be misused in the future and may further distance the Sikh Panth from the Shabad Guru.
The Misl Satluj President demanded that the SGPC and Akal Takht be taken out of government legal frameworks and granted complete religious autonomy. He appealed to Sikh intellectuals, youth and Panthic organisations to unite for strengthening the spiritual, religious and institutional independence of the Sikh Panth.