All 78 Sikh legislators in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwa, and nine Cabinet ministers, appeared before the Akal Takht in Amritsar on 29 June 2026 to present their position on the amended anti-sacrilege law — a legislation critics say was enacted without consulting the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs or other key panthic bodies.

The summons followed the passage of the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, which was tabled in a special one-day session on 13 April 2026 and received the Governor's assent within a week. The law amends the original Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008, introducing stringent punishments to deter sacrilege incidents and uphold the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Akal Takht's Stand

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, said the amendment was passed after bypassing both the Akal Takht and Sikh institutions. 'The government has come in between the Guru and the Sikh by passing this Act,' he said. The Akal Takht, located on the premises of the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar, is widely regarded as the supreme temporal authority of the Sikh faith.

The Jathedar had on 15 June directed all Sikh lawmakers and the Cabinet to appear before the Takht on 29 June, citing that the new law had hurt the sentiments and interests of the panth (community). Five non-Sikh ministers — Sanjeev Arora, Aman Arora, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Lal Chand Kataruchak, and Mahinder Bhagat — along with other non-Sikh legislators, were separately asked to submit written explanations.

How the Law Was Passed

The amendment Bill was tabled by Chief Minister Mann himself during the special session and passed unanimously, with support from members of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition parties including the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after more than three hours of deliberations. The broad cross-party consensus, while notable, has not shielded the government from religious criticism over the process followed.

Opposition Voices and Political Undercurrents

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia criticised the government, stating that the Akal Takht Jathedar had earlier issued explicit directives that any legislation concerning the Sri Guru Granth Sahib must be drafted only after securing approval from the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), other Sikh institutions, and the global Sikh congregation — the Guru Nanak Naam Leva Sangat.

Former Punjab BJP state president Sunil Jakhar called upon AAP legislators to 'listen to their inner conscience' before appearing at the Akal Takht. In a social media post, Jakhar said the MLAs were at a 'defining moment' where they must decide whether to stand with their Guru or with what he described as an 'arrogant Chief Minister.' He expressed concern that they could become 'offenders against the Panth' by supporting someone he claimed had been declared Panth Dokhi by the Akal Takht.

Chief Minister Mann, however, pushed back on Sunday, asserting that the Akal Takht is the supreme temporal authority and that all legislators would appear with humility to present the government's position. He also said the government would submit details of a fake video featuring his impersonator, and urged the Maharashtra government not to interfere in Sikh religious affairs. Mann further argued that opposition parties were attempting to gain political mileage by giving the issue a religious colour.

What Happens Next

The Akal Takht's deliberations with the 78 legislators are expected to determine whether the institution accepts the government's explanation or issues a formal religious directive. The outcome could have significant political and religious consequences for the AAP government in Punjab, particularly given the community's deep reverence for the Takht's authority. The SGPC and other panthic bodies are also likely to weigh in as the matter develops.