The Akal Takht on Monday instructed the Punjab government to suspend implementation of the recently enacted anti-sacrilege law and address its disputed provisions within a month, after expressing strong reservations about the legislation during a hearing attended by Sikh legislators from both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Opposition.
Speaking before MLAs and ministers at Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj issued an Adesh (directive) directing the Punjab government to make the necessary amendments and, if required, convene a special session of the Vidhan Sabha to do so.
“Resolve all the concerns raised by Akal Takht Sahib within one month. Hold a Vidhan Sabha session or take whatever steps are required. This is the directive of Akal Takht Sahib. Until then, the anti-sacrilege law should remain on hold,” the Jathedar said.
During the hearing, legislators from both the ruling and Opposition parties acknowledged that they had either not thoroughly read or fully understood the Bill before it was passed, claiming that the draft had been circulated only shortly before it was introduced.
Congress legislators informed the Jathedar that they had urged the government during the Assembly session to seek the views of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Sikh organisations and Sikh scholars before legislating on such a sensitive religious matter.
Concerns Raised by the Akal Takht
The Jathedar questioned the government’s decision to define religious terminology through legislation. He objected to the replacement of the term “Bir” with “Saroop” in the law and raised concerns regarding provisions connected to the SGPC’s authority over the printing and publication of Guru Granth Sahib Birs.
He also criticised clauses relating to custodians of the Guru Granth Sahib, arguing that they could create anxiety and confusion among those responsible for preserving and managing the holy scripture.
In response, AAP MLA Manjit Singh said the provision was intended to deal with situations involving parents of individuals accused of sacrilege and later clarified that it applied to cases involving “mentally challenged” persons. His explanation prompted a sarcastic “Shabaash” from the Jathedar, particularly because the MLA had earlier claimed to have carefully read the legislation.
During the proceedings, Manjit Singh was specifically asked to explain the meaning of the term “custodian” as used in the proposed law.
The MLA replied that if a mentally unstable person committed an act of sacrilege, the individual’s parents would be held accountable and arrested, describing them as “custodians” under the Bill.
However, the legislation defines a custodian differently, referring to a person entrusted with the care, custody and management of the Saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib and outlining responsibilities related to their preservation and handling.
The explanation drew a sharp response from Jathedar Gargajj, who remarked sarcastically, “Punjab needs such intelligent people.”
Questions on Earlier Cases
The Jathedar also sought information from the Punjab government regarding progress in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege investigations. He questioned why the head of the Sirsa Dera had not yet been brought to Punjab for questioning and also expressed concern over the pace of the probe into the Maur blast case.
Addressing the legislators, he said, “I feel you undertook a responsibility that did not belong to you. You entered our jurisdiction.”
Reiterating the Akal Takht’s position, the Jathedar stressed that the anti-sacrilege law should remain suspended until all objections are addressed and the required amendments are incorporated.
