SGPC  convenes massive Panthic conference at Baba Bakala Sahib on May 31 regarding the Respect Act

Government should not be stubborn in the matter of Sikh sentiments - Advocate Dhami
By Amrik Singh
AMRITSAR: A large Panthic conference has been called by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on May 31, 2026 at Baba Bakala Sahib regarding the provisions against Sikh sentiments in the 'Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026' passed by the Punjab Government.

This information was given by Shiromani Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami while talking to the media here today.

Advocate Dhami said that Panthic meetings were held at various places under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib in the past few days in which the congregation felt that a large Panthic gathering of all Sikh organizations should be called regarding this serious issue. Such suggestions were also received from many Sikh scholars. In view of this, this program has been drawn up today after discussing with the Shiromani Committee members.

He said that this Panthic gathering is not for confrontation but to express the objections of the Sikh congregation.

He said that for this Panthic conference, all Sikh organizations, Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh Dals, Nirmala, Udasi sect, Kar Sewa eminent persons and all Sikh federations are appealed to participate fully in it.

Advocate Dhami said that whenever there was an amendment in the law related to the Sikh community, a resolution was passed and sent by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Resolutions were passed and sent for the reservation of women in the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 and for the printing and publication of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in 2008. The government's amendment regarding the Sehajdharis was also rejected for the same reason because the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had not made any resolution regarding this amendment. But it was not considered appropriate by the government to share the draft with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Sri Akal Takht Sahib to amend this law. He said that this is the reason why many provisions in the law prepared without consulting Sikh organizations are not in line with Sikh principles.

He clarified that the information being spread about the 2008 Satkaar Act to the Deputy Commissioner was obtained from outside publishers by taking sacred scriptures and paying them. Because in this act, the right to publish Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was given to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
He said that there is no opposition to punishing the culprits of sacrilege in the amended act, but there are objections among the Sangat regarding the removal of some provisions and wording related to etiquette against Sikh sentiments. He said that the government should not maintain a rigid attitude in the matter of Sikh sentiments. The Honorable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is also saying in a petition that interference in matters of religion cannot be allowed. Governments should also understand this sentiment of the Chief Justice and should stay away from the religious matters of Sikhs.

On this occasion, SGPC Chief Secretary S. Kulwant Singh Mannan, former President S. Alvinderpal Singh Pakhoke, members Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla, Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, S. Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, S. Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, S. Mohan Singh Bangi, Jathedar Kaur Singh, S. Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, S. Raghbir Singh Saharanmajra, S. Jasmer Singh Lachhru, OSD S. Satbir Singh, Secretary S. Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Eng. Sukhminder Singh, Personal Secretary S. Shahbaz Singh and Deputy Secretary S. Harbhajan Singh Wakta etc. were present..