AMRITSAR, May 9 — — Tensions between the Punjab government and Sikh religious authorities escalated on Friday as the Akal Takht declared the recently notified anti-sacrilege law invalid in its current form. The clergy asserted that the supremacy of the Sikhs’ highest temporal seat was overlooked during the formulation of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act.
Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj stated that the legislation, which was notified on April 20, contains provisions that are unacceptable to the Panth. He maintained that the government must remove “objectionable clauses” and consult with a designated panel of Sikh experts before moving forward. The Jathedar declared that the 15-day deadline is a necessary measure to protect religious sovereignty from state interference.
During the proceedings, it was affirmed that the requirement for religious bodies to upload records of holy scriptures to a government website is a primary point of contention. The Akal Takht stated that such oversight by the state is a violation of established religious protocols.
Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, appearing on behalf of the administration, declared that the government would act according to the sentiments of the Sikh community. He affirmed that the intent behind the law, which provides for life imprisonment and heavy fines for sacrilege, was rooted in public demand for harsher punishments. However, the Akal Takht maintained that legislative mandates cannot supersede traditional Panthic authority, asserting that the law remains suspended in the eyes of the community until the requested changes are implemented.
