Punjab Govt submits response to Sri Akal Takht’s directions on Anti-Sacrilege Law
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), July 29, 2026: The Punjab government on Wednesday submitted its response to the directions issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 29 and the subsequent written communication dated July 4 regarding the proposed anti-sacrilege law.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib clarified that the Punjab government did not submit any revised draft of the proposed anti-sacrilege law at its Secretariat. The government’s submission was limited to its response to the directions and objections communicated by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The response was submitted by Amritsar South MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh.
The clarification came after reports stated that the Punjab government had submitted a 25-page revised draft of the proposed legislation. Sri Akal Takht Sahib urged media organisations to report the correct facts and clearly distinguish between the submission of a revised draft and the government’s response to its directions.
On June 29, Sikh MLAs from Punjab were summoned to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where the Punjab government was asked to review the proposed legislation and make necessary amendments after consultations with legal experts, Sikh religious scholars and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Several provisions of the original draft had drawn objections from the SGPC and Sikh religious bodies. Concerns were raised over the use of the term “custodian” and certain other provisions, with Sikh scholars and religious leaders maintaining that the terminology was not in accordance with the supreme status and maryada of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib had directed the Punjab government to consult legal experts, religious authorities and the SGPC and address the objections raised regarding the proposed legislation.
Speaking after the submission, Dr Nijjar said the government’s objective was to safeguard religious sentiments while ensuring justice and fairness. He said safeguards had been incorporated to prevent the misuse of the proposed law and clarified that an unintentional mistake or an act committed unknowingly would not be treated as an offence of sacrilege.