Bathinda, June 25: The sacred authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib remains absolute for the global Sikh community, yet its platform faces ongoing misuse by self-serving individuals, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared on Tuesday. Addressing the public during a Lok Milni event in Maur constituency’s Mandi Kalan village, the Chief Minister called for urgent democratic restructuring within the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), pointing out that elections for the body have been delayed for over a decade.
The Chief Minister asserted that past leaderships systematically mismanaged religious resources and compromised institutional integrity for factional benefits. He explained that a modern, transparent approach to both religious governance and state administration is essential to steering Punjab toward a progressive future.
“I have written to the Government of India that it has been 14 years since elections were held for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted. “The organisation is in dire straits today.” Commenting further on institutional sanctity, he stated, “I bowed before Sri Akal Takht Sahib because it is supreme for every Punjabi in general and Sikhs in particular. However, some people are trying to misuse it for their vested interests.”
The discourse reordered to focus on the newly established legal frameworks, where the Chief Minister maintained that the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026, provides a permanent deterrent against sacrilege. The legislation ensures that those guilty of disrespecting Gurbani face severe confinement and property liquidations to cover penalties if required.
“I am confident that this law will act as a strong deterrent and no one will dare indulge in such unfortunate acts in the future,” the Chief Minister affirmed. “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is like a father to every Sikh and it is our collective duty to ensure its sanctity.”
The administration’s broader developmental trajectory was also showcased during the event. The Chief Minister detailed the successful implementation of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, providing comprehensive health cover to millions of families, alongside structural changes that guaranteed free domestic electricity and daytime power supply for the agricultural sector. He announced a ₹50 lakh infrastructure development package for the host village, reaffirming that public revenues are being systematically directed back into rural infrastructure, modern schooling, and enhanced healthcare systems.
