Dal Khalsa urges Sikh MLAs to appear before Akal Takht, put Panth above party
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar (Punjab), June 26, 2026: Dal Khalsa on Friday appealed to all Sikh Members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly to honour the directive issued by the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib and appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 to explain their role in the passage of the Jagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Addressing a press conference, Dal Khalsa Political Affairs Secretary Kanwarpal Singh urged legislators to attend the proceedings with humility, saying the issue concerns the religious sentiments and collective conscience of the Sikh community rather than political affiliations.
“Only a few days remain for the legislators to decide whether they will choose religion over politics and Panth over party,” he said, urging MLAs not to allow party loyalties to override their religious responsibilities.
Kanwarpal Singh questioned the haste with which the amendments were passed, alleging that the legislation was enacted without consultation with or approval from the Akal Takht Sahib. He said Sikh legislators owed an explanation to the Akal Takht and should also clarify how they intended to rectify what he described as an error in passing the law.
The Dal Khalsa leader also referred to the controversy surrounding a purported blasphemous video involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, but said the issue should not overshadow the debate over the Satkar Act amendments. He added that both matters should be dealt with independently.
Criticising those questioning the authority of the Akal Takht Sahib and its Jathedar, Kanwarpal Singh said Sikh institutions should be supported rather than challenged at a time of religious concern.
Calling on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to prioritise the issue at its special meeting, he urged the SGPC to reject the amendments and seek repeal of the legislation.
Dal Khalsa also alleged that the Punjab Government was interfering in Sikh religious affairs and warned that any legislation relating to Sikh institutions should be framed only after consultation with the Akal Takht Sahib, Sikh scholars, legal experts and representative Panthic organisations.
Meanwhile, Dal Khalsa General Secretary Paramjit Singh Tanda cautioned the Maharashtra Government against introducing changes to the management of Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, saying any attempt to interfere in Sikh religious institutions, whether in Punjab or Maharashtra, would face strong opposition.