CM Bhagwant Mann Has Not Fully Read the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, Claims Akal Takht Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj
Sikh Preachers, SGPC President Dhami and Religious Leaders Gather at Takht Damdama Sahib
Warn Government to Amend Controversial Provisions Within Deadline; ‘Panj Singh Sahiban’ Meeting to Decide Next Course if No Action Taken
Babushahi Network
Talwandi Sabo/Bathinda, May 17, 2026: Addressing a high-level gathering of Sikh religious leaders at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj claimed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had not fully read the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Playing a recorded statement of the Chief Minister, Giani Gargaj alleged that the law contains provisions under which even guardians and family members of mentally unstable accused persons could face punishment.
“Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is making misleading claims. If the provisions he is referring to actually exist, the government should publish them on its official website,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Harjinder Singh Dhami, prominent Sikh preachers, SGPC members, and representatives of various gurdwara management committees.
The Sikh leadership expressed strong concern over several provisions of the new legislation, alleging that they amount to direct interference in Panthic affairs and have created widespread apprehension within the Sikh community.
Giani Gargaj said the Punjab Government enacted the law without consulting Akal Takht Sahib, the SGPC, or any other representative Sikh institution. He reiterated that while Sikhs support stringent punishment for those guilty of sacrilege, certain provisions of the Act appear to target granthis, sewadars, and management committees rather than the actual offenders.
He also objected to the clause mandating online records of Guru Granth Sahib saroops, warning that such data could be misused by anti-social elements to identify the locations of sacred scriptures.
Issuing a stern warning, Giani Gargaj said that if the Punjab Government fails to amend the disputed provisions within the stipulated period, a special meeting of the “Panj Singh Sahiban” (five Jathedars) will be convened to decide the future course of action.
Earlier, Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula stated that any interference in Sikh religious matters would not be tolerated. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said the SGPC had independently reviewed the Act and identified several clauses that require immediate amendment.
The issue has gained urgency as the 15-day ultimatum given by Akal Takht Sahib to the Punjab Government is nearing its expiry.
Main Point of Speech of Jathedar Akal Takhat Sahib:
Except for the provision concerning those guilty of beadbi (sacrilege), all other provisions in the Act are aimed at distancing Sikhs from Gurbani. No government can frame the Panth’s religious principles, nor will we allow it to do so. Interference of the government in Panthic affairs is absolutely unacceptable. The interpretation given by the Chief Minister regarding the word “custodian” is completely incorrect. The Chief Minister should seek forgiveness from the Panth for openly speaking falsehoods. The Panth cannot be intimidated by deploying fake IT cell teams. Other than making amendments to the objectionable provisions, nothing else is acceptable to the Panth.
Main Points Of Speech Of Jathedar Akal Takhat Sahib;
Except for the provision concerning those guilty of beadbi (sacrilege), all other provisions in the Act are aimed at distancing Sikhs from Gurbani.
No government can frame the Panth’s religious principles, nor will we allow it to do so.
Interference of the government in Panthic affairs is absolutely unacceptable.
The interpretation given by the Chief Minister regarding the word “custodian” is completely incorrect.
The Chief Minister should seek forgiveness from the Panth for openly speaking falsehoods.
The Panth cannot be intimidated by deploying fake IT cell teams.
Other than making amendments to the objectionable provisions, nothing else is acceptable to the Panth.
Main Points Of Speech Of Jathedar Akal Takhat Sahib;
The Act should have been meant to punish those guilty of beadbi (sacrilege), not the sevadars and Granthi Singhs.
If amendments could be made to the 2008 Act, then why can the 2026 Act not be amended?
Why have those responsible for acts of beadbi not been punished so far?
Apart from the one who commits disrespect towards Guru Sahib, for whom has the provision of 5 years’ punishment been written?
Why was the demand made on 6 April by all Sikh organizations to seek the opinion of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee ignored?