Dal Khalsa conclave raises red flag on new anti-sacrilege bill
Babushahi Bureau
Dharamkot ( Moga), April 13, 2026:
At a Panthic conclave held alongside the Punjab Assembly’s special session, Dal Khalsa reiterated the core Sikh doctrine of the omnipresence of the Shabad Guru, embodied in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, while emphasising the centrality of sacrifice in Sikh tradition.
In a statement issued on the occasion, the organisation asserted that the Guru remains the sovereign guide of the Panth, whose sanctity has been upheld through unparalleled sacrifices made by the Sikh Gurus and historical figures. “Any affront—physical or doctrinal—is an assault on the very soul of the Sikh Quam,” the resolution stated.
Marking the festival of Baisakhi, participants underscored its enduring significance as a symbol of Sikh sovereignty. The resolution described Baisakhi not merely as a celebration but as a living reminder of collective self-rule, dignity, and the responsibility to uphold justice and freedom in both temporal and spiritual spheres.
Addressing the recurring issue of sacrilege, Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema termed the crisis “not merely legal but civilizational.” He said that despite consistent demands for accountability and preventive mechanisms, successive governments have failed to develop a coherent and proactive response. He added that reactive legislation alone cannot address a problem that requires vigilance, education, and institutional integrity.
Paying tributes to the martyrs of the 1978 Amritsar Nirankari-Sikh clash, human rights activist Prof Jagmohan Singh said the killing of unarmed Sikhs exposed alleged failures and complicity within state machinery. Opposing the proposed legislation, he argued that the Punjab government has no locus standi to interfere in Sikh religious affairs.
Commenting on global developments, Dal Khalsa’s political affairs secretary Kanwar Pal Singh said Pakistan has re-emerged on the geopolitical stage after years of isolation, playing a role in regional and Middle East peace efforts while seeking economic and political stabilisation. However, he expressed concern over stalled diplomatic talks, warning of potential escalation and instability.
The organisation urged the Sikh community to assess such global shifts with clarity, while safeguarding its own interests and advocating peace, cooperation, and justice across borders.
SGPC member Kulbir Singh and Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj noted that while some may derive temporary satisfaction from new legislation, symbolic or partial measures cannot replace substantive justice.
On the ongoing Sikh struggle for sovereignty, Kanwar Pal Singh, along with Emaan Singh Mann and Narien Singh, cautioned against assuming that the movement has concluded. Referring to the aftermath of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, they said renewed attention from international forums, including the Five Eyes alliance, indicates that unresolved issues tend to resurface with greater intensity.
Extending greetings on Baisakhi, the organisers called upon the Sikh community to remain resilient and forward-looking, emphasising unity, strength, and a positive outlook despite ongoing challenges.