Akal Takht rejects Punjab sacrilege act, sets 15-day deadline to remove objectionable clauses

The Akal Takht formally rejected the Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026, stating it would not accept governance of religious scriptures via a government-monitored website. It issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Bhagwant Mann government to remove the provisions offending Sikh sentiments. The SGPC said it will not comply with the Act’s requirement to upload saroops to a government site. The Akal Takht Sahib offered to provide a panel of Sikh legal experts and judges to help build consensus on the law. The developments followed a discussion between assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and the acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Tek Singh Dhanaula regarding the legislation.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann embarked on a four-day Shukrana Yatra to express gratitude for enacting the Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria approved the Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026, enacted by the Punjab assembly. The act prescribes penalties for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib, including life imprisonment and a fine up to ₹25 lakh.