Sri Akal Takht Sahib to examine Punjab Govt’s response on Anti-Sacrilege Law
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), July 29, 2026: Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Wednesday said it would examine the Punjab government’s response to its directions regarding the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, asserting that no further amendments to the legislation would be acceptable without consensus with Sikh institutions.
The clarification came after representatives of the Punjab government submitted the government’s response at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The delegation comprised Amritsar South MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib clarified that the Punjab government had not submitted any revised draft of the anti-sacrilege law. Instead, it had submitted a response to the directions issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 29 and the subsequent written communication sent on July 4.
The documents were received by Bagicha Singh, In-charge of the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, and Jaskaran Singh, Media Adviser.
Jaskaran Singh said the government representatives were informed that the one-month deadline granted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib had expired and that the response was submitted after the deadline had passed. He said the matter would be considered only after a thorough examination of the documents.
He further said the Punjab government had delayed initiating meaningful communication with Sri Akal Takht Sahib during the one-month period. He suggested that further deliberations should be held through a joint committee comprising representatives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Punjab government to arrive at a consensus.
Jaskaran Singh said the Punjab government must address the objections and Sikh sentiments formally conveyed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on July 4. He asserted that no amendment to the law would be accepted until a consensus was reached with Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the SGPC.
He also said the government’s response had not been discussed with Sikh institutions or their representatives and would now be examined by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Referring to media reports that the Punjab government may introduce further amendments to the legislation during the Punjab Assembly session beginning on August 3, Jaskaran Singh said the government should not proceed hastily.
He said the government should first obtain the views and consent of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the SGPC, adding that any further amendments should be introduced in the Assembly only after a consensus is reached with both institutions.