Chandigarh, May 14: Global Sikh Council has called for immediate legislative changes to the recently amended Satkar Act. Writing to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and senior Punjab officials, the Council affirmed that the 2026 Act, in its present form, risks criminalizing innocent gurdwara committees and Sikh families. Dr. Kanwaljit Kaur, president of the GSC, stated that the legislation places an unfair burden on custodians to prove their innocence while facing severe penalties.
The GSC asserted that the Act fails to provide adequate safeguards against the filing of false FIRs, which could be misused to target religious leaders and institutions. Furthermore, the Council maintained that the handling of ‘Saroops’ during forensic examinations and trials often violates religious protocols, as they are frequently stored as standard case property in police malkhanas. The Council declared that the Punjab government must ensure that any law regarding sacrilege respects the sovereign authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib over religious matters.
To resolve these issues, the Council has proposed a thorough review of the legislation through a committee of Panthic institutions, including the SGPC. The GSC affirmed that such a consultative approach is necessary to ensure the law punishes the guilty without causing distress to the wider community. The letter concluded by requesting a clear directive from the Akal Takht to the state government, emphasizing that the protection of Sikh sentiments requires a balanced and legally sound framework.
