Sri Akal Takht Sahib to Examine Punjab Govt's Response on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act
No Amendments Without Panthic Consensus, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Tells Punjab Government
AMRITSAR : In accordance with the directive issued on June 29, 2026, by the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, regarding the objectionable provisions in the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 and the need for further amendments in line with Sikh sentiments, representatives of the Punjab Government today officially submitted the government's response at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The government delegation comprised Amritsar South MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh.
The government documents were received by Bagicha Singh, In-charge of the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jaskaran Singh, Media Advisor, which included official communications and replies from the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner and the Punjab Government's Home Affairs Department.
Speaking about the meeting, Media Advisor Jaskaran Singh said the government representatives were clearly told that the one-month deadline granted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib had expired and that the government's official response had been submitted only after the last day had passed. He said this reflected a lack of seriousness on the part of the government regarding legislation related to serious issue of sacrilege.
He said that, as directed by Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar and the Deputy Commissioner were informed that any decision in this regard would be taken only after the documents submitted by the government had been thoroughly examined.
He further stated that the government has delayed initiating communication, whereas meaningful coordination with Sri Akal Takht Sahib should have been established during the one-month period so that serious deliberations on the issue could have progressed.
He suggested that further discussions should be conducted through a joint committee comprising representatives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the Punjab Government to reach a consensus.
Jaskaran Singh also said the Punjab Government should clearly understand that nothing short of the objections and Sikh sentiments officially conveyed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on July 4, 2026, would be acceptable. He asserted that no amendment to the law framed by the government could be accepted until consensus was reached with Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the SGPC, the representative institutions of the Khalsa Panth.
He added that the response submitted by the government representatives today had also not been discussed with Sikh institutions or their representatives and would now be examined by Sri Akal Takht Sahib. He further said the Punjab Government should honour the spirit of the consensus reached at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 29, 2026, when Sikh MLAs and ministers had given their assurance.
The government representatives were also informed that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had learnt through media reports that the Punjab Government may introduce further amendments to the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 during the Punjab Assembly session scheduled to begin on August 3, 2026.
In this regard, Jaskaran Singh said that the government representatives were informed that the government should not hastily proceed with further legislative amendments in the Assembly and first obtain the opinion and consent of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the SGPC.
He stressed that any additional amendments should be introduced in the Assembly only after consensus had been reached with both Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the SGPC.
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