The anti-sacrilege law is once again at the centre of a standoff between the Akal Takht and the Punjab government. Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said on Tuesday that the Sikh temporal seat will not hesitate to act against anyone who backtracks on commitments made before it. His remarks came during the Miri Piri Khalsa march in Bathinda, adding fresh pressure on the state to amend the contentious legislation.
What is the anti-sacrilege law controversy about?
The anti-sacrilege law was passed unanimously by the Punjab Assembly on April 13, 2026, introducing stricter punishment for acts of sacrilege. The Akal Takht objected to certain clauses soon after. Among the disputed points is the use of religious terms tied to the Guru Granth Sahib. The Akal Takht says the state legislature cannot define Sikh religious doctrine within a government law.
Why did the jathedar issue a warning in Bathinda?
Speaking at the culmination of the Miri Piri Khalsa march, Gargaj said the Akal Takht will act under Panthic tradition against anyone who goes back on commitments made to it.
He repeated that the Punjab government must remove the objectionable provisions flagged by the Takht and several Sikh bodies. Gargaj said, “the legislation will not be acceptable to the Sikh community” until this happens.
He also objected, without naming anyone, to comparisons between the religious march and political gatherings.
What has the Punjab government been told to do?
The Akal Takht had earlier set a deadline of July 29, 2026, for the government to rectify the law. It also directed that implementation stay on hold until objections are resolved.
- The Assembly passed the law on April 13, 2026
- Akal Takht sent objections and suggested changes soon after
- A government hearing on June 29, 2026 saw 69 AAP legislators attend
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was not called to that hearing
- A July 29, 2026 deadline was set for amendments
- The Miri Piri Khalsa march began as pressure mounted for action
What did the SGPC president say about the law?
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, speaking at the same Bathinda gathering, said “the authority to make panthic decisions rests solely with the Akal Takht.”
He warned that if this authority shifts toward political institutions, it would threaten the autonomy of the Sikh panth. Dhami urged the community to stay alert so panthic decisions do not fall into political hands.
The anti-sacrilege law dispute is far from resolved, with the Akal Takht keeping up pressure through the Miri Piri Khalsa march. Whether the Punjab government meets the Takht’s demands will determine the next chapter of this ongoing standoff.